1. Most rec league coaches don’t know how to coach. If a parent has an issue with how I, or any other rec coach, coaches they need to step up. I let them know that they are welcome to help and most learning happens at home because I only have limited time to teach.

2. Having coached (herded) kids. I always sign up to be an assistant or not at all with the intent of helping out. Some sports can be coached alone, most can’t really be coached by one person, at least while kids are at a young age.

3. If you have issues with how I am giving playing time then coach your own team next year. I coach for my kid and he will play more than any of the other kids on the team. I use to be fair and feel guilty when I wasn’t but learned that parents are only loyal to their own kids success and not the team’s success.

4. If a parent wonders why his/her kid can’t do a certain thing e.g. catching a ball, I let them know they need to work on it at home.

5. Parents’ goals are (almost) never aligned with their kids’ goals. Most kids want to be with their friends and have fun (winning helps). Most parents want their kids to be the star and to win but winning is not at the expense of their child.

6. For sports with playoffs, the regular season is about learning. Playoffs are about winning.

7. Most athletic success was actually determined when the child was conceived. Sometimes I share that sometimes I keep it to myself.

8. Most parents have no real understanding of their kids talent level. Some kids just aren’t good despite how much the parent tells me the opposite.

I have had children that are average at best but also have one that is generally one of the best on his teams. Coaches generally go out of their way for coaching my athletically gifted son. I stay out of the way and it is a better experience for all.