010 - Hold Your Ground

Today’s quick tip is: Keep everyone (especially parents) up-to-date on programs and progress

 Just remember this phrase, it goes for parents too:  Parents don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care

1. The more info you can send a parents way, the less questions they will have

1. Policies
2. Classes
3. Special events
4. Progress

2. The one thing that parents DO care about, is what class their child is in, so you need to have clear guidlines for how players get placed in classes and what he criteria are for moving up.

They may try to manipulate with : Days that work, times that work, friends, carpools  ……

One tip I try to stick to for new players, even my own kids ( I just told a pro this regarding my 5 and 8 yrar old this week) is that it is, if you are debating between 2 classes, level wise,  beter to put  the child in the lower class than in the upper class.  (more comfy for them, but then if you need to change classes, it is because they are TOO GOOD instead of telling the child they are not good enough) Much more positive.

3. The solution could be anything from from:

1. The pros decide
2. Age and ability
3. Ranking or UTR
4. Skills test have to be able to:…….)

The point is that it is clearly spelled out so there is no debate about it.

One ting I had to do was that in the first week, I played evry version of champs and challengers that included every possible situation, groundstrokes, serving, volleys……  and had a points system (and the pros were counting 4 of the kids to make sure the points lined up)

Then a ladder was established (pyramid)……………

It is tricky though.  Its was always hard for me to tell a parent how they need to act as a PARENT.

I feel that there is a line when you start telling a parent how to parent.

I think you can draw a line and say I am the coach and if you have any concerns, please come to me.

I also think it is OK for a parent, especially a tennis playing parent to say whatever they want.  There just has to be open communication so the player does not suffer. (This now relates to platers who are a bit more committed).

4. Remember if you break the rules for one kid, a parent will expect you to break it for them, even if you have a good reason.

It is better to tell one kid sorry than to get tanglred up in a web of excuses and reasons that you WILL have to remember one day

It usually will boil down to 1 or 2 that ruin your day, but clear rules, sticking to them, and communication and will alevite a lot of headaches.

I have a ton of stories which I will drip out to you over time, so please stay tuned……….

Bottom Line: Hold your ground and stick your policies.  You can always change your policies, and this is easier than trying to make everyone happy all the time.

Good luck and email me with any questions you may have,

Coach Mick, USPTA