August 2006

PAGE 25

Pam's Point

Respect the Coach's Role

sometimes confused me and certainly overloaded me.

not constructive, it had become their way of attempt-

By Pam Champagne, MCC

They contributed to a devastating feeling that, in my

ing to show their child they cared.

The Sports Parenting Coach

father's eyes, I was first and foremost a tennis per-

Sometimes parents are repeating the patterns firm-

former, not his daughter. And even though I had top 10

ly established by their parents. This can be challenging

arents act as their child's first teacher. From their

P

national rankings throughout my teens, it fueled the

to overcome, often becoming easier with professional

first steps, they show them how to perform count-

feeling that I was never good enough.

or outside assistance and support. Armed with a strong

less life activities over a period of many years. No won-

One parent I worked with individually had an inter-

desire, newfound awareness, and a willingness to open

der it can be so difficult to let go of that role when it

esting insight. She realized she and her husband had

up the lines of communication about the subject,

comes to soccer.

become over-involved because they felt guilty that they

resolving the pattern is possible.

My father, who played competitive high school and

were so busy. Although, by their own admission, it was

Although parents often believe they are trying to

collegiate tennis, quite readily assumed the role as one

help and express their love by coaching their child,

of my coaches. I received a great deal of verbal coach-

except in rare circumstances, it is far better to drop the

ing, and, several times a week following lessons, prac-

sidelines and backseat coaching, and let the soccer

tices, or matches, he slid his instructional notes under

coach do all the coaching. s

Pam's Point:

my bedroom door. These comments, each one under-

A self-described youth sports survivor, Pam Champagne

scored, would focus solely on improvements I needed

holds 8 national tennis titles and is a Master Certified

Focus on your important role

to make. I grew to dread the sound of his notepaper

Coach to high-achievers. Pam leads workshops and

scrapping the carpet.

of being a loving, supportive

privately coaches parents on how to manage the

At a recent workshop delivery to soccer parents, a

challenges of raising athletes in today's highly competitive

parent to your child.

parent asked, ""Did the notes help in any way?" I was

sports environment. For more tips, visit

surprised by the speed and gusto with which I shot

www.ParentingAthletes.com or contact Pam at

back my answer, "No!"

Pam@parentingathletes.com Email any questions or ideas

Since I had other tennis coaches, those notes

for columns.

Safety Is the Name of the Game

By Don Mears

has a generic form that can be used.

issues. I caution all who may think of

by savvy club officials, it is time to

WSYSA Risk Management Director

http://www.wsysa.com/records/docu

again run through a brief checklist to

this as their way to help the club out to

ments/MEDICALRELEASEFORM_2.pdf

prepare the new Coach or Assistant

contact an attorney before "offering to

hen we hear news on the radio

W

Many clubs have their own specif-

Coach. The following list is the mini-

help" in this fashion.

or television concerning data

ic forms so coaches should check with

mum I would recommend that a Coach

Lastly, I want to address the fact

loss, very seldom do we relate that to

the club first.

have on the touchline:

that all clubs should confirm that

our daily lives. For example, the recent

✔First Aid Kit

Other areas that need to be

WSYSA Liability Insurance coverage

news from the VA on the loss of a lap-

✔Medical Release Forms ­ complet-

addressed as the season starts are goals

has been issued for venues that the

top with veteran's data can be directly

and fields. I don't want to belabor the

ed and signed

club normally uses for practices and

related to WSYSA and soccer. How you

✔Cell Phone

subject on goal safety, but I urge all

games. An association should appoint

may ask? How many registrars have a

✔Ice in sandwich bags

clubs to consider having goal safety

one board member to be responsible

computer or laptop supplied by a club

✔Current Laws of the Game manual

guidelines to follow. Also, please do

for making sure all clubs under their

or association? How many of those

not manufacture your own goals...

The Fist Aid Kit should be com-

who have such a computer have taken

auspices have obtained the necessary

especially for small-sided games. Not

plete and have an assortment of band-

safeguards to protect the computer?

riders prior to the start of league play in

only can this be dangerous but also by

ages, bee sting ointment, cold com-

The reason I ask is that these com-

September.

manufacturing your own goals you

presses, a First Aid booklet, Latex

puters have something just as, if not

Please  contact  Mary  Warren

automatically assume the "Manufactur-

gloves, antiseptic ointment, small hand

more precious than what the VA loss;

(mary@wsysa.com) at the WSYSA

ers Warranty" of the goals. This can

towels, a sewing kit for those unex-

these computers have sensitive data on

office for assistance in requesting and

pected emergencies, and any other

lead to serious trouble should a goal fall

our kids. I can only caution those who

obtaining  the  necessary  riders.

items the coach feels he/she may need.

and injure a player.

have been entrusted by their respective

Authorized Association Officials may

Again, this is only a guideline. I recom-

I know all clubs throughout the

clubs and associations to have access to

also find request forms on the State

mend that all coaches and assistant

state are in need of fields. This leads us

this data, to make sure they have taken

web site to use for submission.

coaches consider attending a licensing

into the area of the parent who has a

all possible precautions to ensure the

As always, play safe and if you have

course where more information is pro-

large lot/acreage and allows teams to

data remains safe.

questions regarding Risk Management

vided.

utilize these areas for practices or

Safety precautions are taken in all

issues, I am available to assist. Just drop

The medical release forms are very

worse, practice games. This is an area

forms  so  as  the  soccer  season

me an email at d.mears@earthlink.net

important and I suggest that all signa-

that a good attorney may be needed

approaches for many, especially those

and I will respond. s

tures be notarized; the following link

due to subsequent liability and safety

who have been "talked into coaching"