South Windsor High School Girls' Lacrosse

2007 SWHS Girls’ Lacrosse

Parents’ Policy

To: Parents/Guardians

From:  Girls’ Lacrosse Coaching Staff

We consider you to be a valuable member of this program.  As a member, we ask that you understand our philosophy.  Also, we ask that you try to empathize with us as coaches.  In turn we will try to look at things from your parental perspective.

Here are the expectations for ALL adults in this program:

• We understand, support, and demonstrate our program’s philosophy.

·         We focus on performance, not wins and losses.

·         We encourage; we are positive and supportive without undue pressure and unrealistic expectations.

·         We demonstrate good sportsmanship and serve as role models. 

·         We support our own players and the opposition.

• We do not vent at the officials.  We respect their commitment. 
• We do not stand by and let another abuse an official, coach, or player. 

We ask that you “play” on this team.  This “play” may take many forms: from providing emotional support for your daughter, to picking up her up on time (coaches cannot leave until your daughter has been picked up), to volunteering your time, to providing general support for the team and the coach, or a combination of all or some of these. 

·         Please do not instruct from the sideline.  Allow the coach to guide the team. 

·         Please respect the team/bench area; team personnel only. 

·         Please do not confront a coach immediately after a contest.

Here’s what we ask of your daughter: 

·         put the team’s goals, welfare, and success before her own;

·         compete at all practice sessions;

·         be open to coaching;

·         represent the school well and follow team, program, school, and state rules;

·         report all injuries to the trainer or coach;

Please understand that you affect the player-coach relationship.  If you are criticizing the coach at home, this will negatively impact your daughter’s approach.  Please remember that she has to return to practice the next day.  Parental coaching at home may impede your daughter’s progress.

            So what do we do if problems occur?  We insist that your daughter deals with them first.  Yes, the lines of communication are open to all in this program.  We do invite your questions concerning our philosophy, competitive approach, discipline, etc.; but we also insist that you use the “chain of communication.”  Typical process:  The player addresses the problem first.  If she does receive satisfaction, then you may step into the situation.  All of us—player, parent, and coach—will solve the problem in a calm, courteous and logical manner.  The bottom line:  the player needs to take responsibility for her lacrosse experience.

            For all of the negative stories concerning parents, it has been our experience and good fortune to work with supportive parents over the years.  As a staff we look forward to these positive relationships this season and in the future.

                                                                                         The SWHS Girls' Lacrosse Coaching Staff