Parent / Coach Communication

Athletic Department

Both parenting and coaching are extremely tough jobs. By establishing an understanding for each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide a better experience for the student athlete. As a parent, when your child becomes involved in a Lawton High School athletic program, you have a right to understand the expectations that are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child’s team.

We Ask You The Parent To Please Follow The Chain Of Command

Athlete to Coach, 2. Parent to Coach 3. Parent to Coach / AD

Communication You Should Expect From Your Child’s Coach

  1. The philosophy of the coach.

  2. The members of the coaching staff specifically working with your child.

  3. Expectations the coach has for your child and the team.

  4. Locations and times of all practices, contests and team functions.

  5. Team requirements, such as fees, special equipment, off-season conditioning and team rules.

  6. Procedures to be followed should your child be injured during practice or a contest.

  7. Discipline procedures that may result in the denial of your child’s participation.

Communication Coaches Should Expect from Parents

  1. Concerns expressed directly to the coach.

  2. Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance.

  3. Specific concerns in regard to a coach’s philosophy and/or expectations.

  4. Specific medical problems that could adversely impact your child’s performance and/or safety.

    As your child becomes involved in the athletic programs at Lawton High School, they will experience some of the greatest and most rewarding moments of their young lives. It is also vital to recognize and understand that there will be times when things do not go the way you or your child wish. At times such as these, discussion with your child’s coach is encouraged.

Appropriate Concerns to Discuss With Coaches

  1. The treatment of your child mentally and/or physically.

  2. Ways to help your child improve.

  3. Concerns about the behavior of your child.

  4. Family concerns that may have an impact on your child and subsequent athletic participation.

It is very difficult to accept your child’s not playing as much as you hope. Coaches are professionals. They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be best for all members of a team. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your child’s coach. Other things, such as the following items, must always be left to the discretion of the coach.

Issues Not Appropriate to Discuss With Coaches

  1. Playing time

  2. Team strategy

  3. Play calling

  4. Lineups

  5. Substitutions

  6. Other members of the team

Unacceptable Contact with Your Child’ s Coach

  1. Prior to and during team practice.

  2. Prior to and during any contest.

  3. Immediately following any contest.

These are typically either very busy times, or in the case of a contest, very emotional times for all parties involved. Things can and will be said that are not meant. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution.

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. These are encouraged. It is important that both parties have a clear understanding of the others position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure and chain of command should be followed to promote an understanding.

We ask you to always make contact with the coach first. Though we understand your desire to talk with the Athletic Director or Principal first, such contacts will be first referred to the appropriate coach.

If You Have a Concern to Discuss with a Coach, This is the Procedure You Should Follow

1. Athlete to Coach, 2. Parent to Coach 3. Parent to Coach / AD

  1. Have your child talk to the coach.

  2. Call the school or the coach to set up an appointment. The school number is 624-7807.

  3. If the coach cannot be reached, contact the Lawton High School Athletic Department.

What a Parent Can Do if the Meeting with a Coach Did Not Provide a
Satisfactory Resolution

  1. Call the Athletic Director at Lawton High School and set up a meeting.

  2. The Athletic Department can be reached at 624-7807.

Research indicates a student involved in an extra curricular activity has a greater chance of success during adulthood. Therefore, our programs have been established specifically for our student athletes. Many of the character traits required to be a successful participant are exactly those that will promote successful lives and careers after high school. We hope the information provided in this document makes both your child’s experience and your experience with Lawton High School and its athletic programs less stressful and more enjoyable.

- Lawton Athletic Department