Brimfield Grade School
Athletics
Mr. Chad Jones, G.S. Athletic Director
309-446-3366
cjones1@roe48.k12.il.us
Parent-Coach Communication
Parent/Coach Relationship
Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By
establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept
the actions of the others and provide greater benefit to the children. As
parents, when your children become involved in our program, you have a
right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins
with clear communication from the coach of your child’s program.
Communication you should expect from your child’s coach:

Philosophy of the coach.

Expectations the coach has for your child as well as the players on the team.

Expectations the coach has for parents.

Locations and times of all practices and contests.

Team requirements i.e., fees, special equipment, and off-season
conditioning.

Procedure should your child be injured during participation.

Discipline that results in the denial of your child’s participation.
Communication coaches expect from parents:

Concerns expressed directly to the coach.

Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance.
As your children become involved in the athletic programs at Brimfield
Grade School, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of
their lives. It is important to understand that there may be times when things
do not go the way you or your child wishes. At these times, discussion with
the coach is encouraged.
Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches:

The treatment of your child mentally and physically.

Ways to help your child improve.

Concerns about your child’s behavior.
It is very difficult to accept your child’s not playing as much as you may
hope. Coaches are professionals. They make judgment decisions based on
what they believe to be best for all student-athletes involved. As you may
have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed
with your child’s coach. Other things such as those in the following
paragraphs must be left to the discretion of the coach.
Issues not appropriate to discuss with coaches:
 Playing time.
 Team strategy.
 Play calling.
 Other student-athletes.
There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the
parent. This is encouraged. It is important that both parties have a clear
understanding of the other’s position. When these conferences are
necessary, the following procedures should be taken to help promote a
resolution to the issue of concern.
Procedures to follow if you have a concern to discuss with the coach:
 Call 446-3366 ext. 14, to set up an appointment to see the coach.
 Please do not attempt to confront the coach before, during or after a practice or
contest. These confrontations can be emotional for both the parent and the coach.
Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution.
The Next Step
What a parent can do if the meeting with the coach did not provide a
satisfactory resolution:

Call and set up an appointment with the Athletic Director to discuss the situation.

At this meeting, an appropriate step will be determined.
Since research indicates students involved in extra-curricular activities have
a greater chance for success during adulthood, these athletic programs have
been established. Many of the character traits required to be successful
participants in these activities are examples of those that will promote
successful lives after high school.
We hope the information provided here makes both your son/daughter and
your experience with the BGS Sports Program less stressful and more
enjoyable.
“If you do the things you need to do when
you need to do them,
then someday you can do the things you
want to do when you want to do them.”
Suggestions for Parents
1. Be positive with your child. Let him/her know it is a great
accomplishment to be a part of BGS Athletics. Coaches appreciate
every athlete on the BGS roster, regardless of their role on the team.
2. Encourage your child to follow team and school rules. Every BGS
athlete is expected to abide by Brimfield C.U.S.D. #309 and IESA
extra-curricular guidelines.
3. Insist your son/daughter works to their academic ability. The fact
of the matter is that not all of our players go on to play high school
sports. Your child’s work in the classroom is what will help him/her
when ready to move on to high school.
4. Do not offer excuses for why your child is not playing. There is
usually a reason for it, and it starts with practice. Your child’s coach
sees him/her in practice every day and is the best person to decide
who should play.
5. Try not to criticize your child’s coach in front of them. While we
realize not every parent will see eye-to-eye with the coach on all
matters, criticizing the coach in front of your child undermines the
authority of the coach and allows the child to make excuses for
himself/herself about playing time. Instead of working hard in
practice to get better and perhaps earn more playing time, they find a
way to place the blame on the coach. Suggest to your child that
he/she approach the coach and ask, “Coach, is there a way I could
earn more playing time?” or “What could I work on to improve?” If
you are still not satisfied, arrange a meeting with the coach. Problems
do not get solved unless your child communicates with the coaches.
6. Help the coaches foster a team atmosphere. Coaches spend a great
deal of time trying to instill this attitude in players. We realize that at
times this takes some sacrifice on the part of the players, but we feel it
is crucial to developing a quality sports team.
7. Be a positive fan. Please help keep our games a positive, fun
experience for the players, coaches, and other fans. Be respectful of
coaches, players, and officials. Your child will take note of this, and
act in a similar manner. While sportsmanship may seem an oldfashioned notion, it is still very important in sports.
8. Help your child develop a positive self-image. Try to avoid
comparing your child to other players on the team and older siblings
who might have played sports. Help him/her in any way possible to
feel good about their role on the team, whatever that role may be.
9. Help the coaches teach life skills. Being part of any sports program
is a responsibility for a player. The coaches feel strongly those
qualities such as reliability, loyalty, trustworthiness, the ability to be a
team player, and organization can be stressed in the normal course of
action during the season.
10.Encourage your child to play for the love of the game. Getting too
competitive with things such as who is scoring the points, who is
getting the publicity, and awards can make a player forget why they
love athletics. Play the game and the other things will take care of
themselves.
BGS EXPECTATIONS
In our attempt to become champions, we may also learn to
be champions in the game of life. Because there are the high
standards and guidelines that we expect from our players:

Follow all training rules and discipline myself to be mentally and
physically ready.

Be sincere and loyal at all times to my coach, my team and school.

Don’t be late.

Excel in the classroom. You will either pay the price now, or you’ll pay
big later!

Make the off-season commitment. Players are made in the off-season.

Expect to Win. Doubters don’t win. Winners don’t doubt.

Play Hard. Always give your best.

Play with Enthusiasm. Enthusiasm shows the world that you’re excited
and have passion for what you’re doing. Get excited and enjoy what
you’re doing!

Play Smart. Stay focused and maintain a high level of concentration.

Never Give Up! People who won’t quit, don’t.

Be Coach-able. These are the people you win championships with.

Act Mentally Tough. Don’t panic and break under pressure!

Always Have a Positive Attitude. Keep encouraging your teammates.

Don’t Make Excuses. Learn to accept responsibility for your actions.

Accept your role. Every member of the team is equally important.

Be a Leader. Leaders are people who show the way and lead by example.

Always put the Team First! Selfish and self-centered people can’t.

Never look back and say I wish I had worked harder.

Work hard in practice. This is the time you earn the right to play for a
Championship.
- reproduced from Midwest Central High School -