Parents and Film

Coach,
I did that this past season and I thought that it went really well. I would show the video at 7pm on tuesday night and would get between 2 and 20 parents at the showing. I used it as a way for parents to have a time to ask questions about the game and to see the film of their kids.

I did tell the parents that this is not the forum to recommend plays or complain about their child and playing time. This was simply a way for them to see the game again without all of the distractions. I did have a parent ask why I didnt punt at a certain time or why did we call this. I used this as a chance to explain the faith that I had in our offense or what we saw in our scouting of a certain team.

At the end of the season, I had a parent ask if there was anything that I needed and I mentioned that the goal posts needed painting. He wrote me a check for a NEW set of goal posts right then. Told me how much he enjoyed seeing the film and thanked me for the time i put in. BTW, he son was a senior and was finished playing football. So, I consider the parent night a success.

Fortney

We have been doing that at our school for the last 15 years. Every Tue night the Boosters have their meeting and after the meeting the head coach shows the film to any parents who show up. We normally have about 20-30 parents each week. The coach shows where a play broke down as well as when guys are doing a great job. They also explain what they were thinking in different situations. And they also admit to making some dumb calls, which we all do. It has been great for our parents and it really helps build a football family atmosphere.

If the Superintendent doesn't back you up with a comment like that... it's not worth coaching.

You will not be able to deal with a parent like this... most coaches have these issues. I, myself, have a parent who has tried to get me fired to the point where it has become an obsession on his part. As long as this parent doesn't get the rest to rally around him/her, you'll be fine. Don't try to talk to this parent-- she'll twist your words. Good luck, and I would be interested in discussing this further if necessary.

Coach, I have seen a ton of craziness in 20 years. I meet with our touchdown club once a month and with many township organizations weekly. I know how stressful things get with firing coaches and telling players the truth. One thing I do is once or twice weekly is I get a kid to film a ton of drills in practice and maybe some live drills. I keep these and mark them throughout the season. Then when parents want to know why little Joey isn't a division one player with a scholarship, we have facts. I also do this in the weight room. This does 2 things: makes kids lift harder (I do put it on our announcements occationally) and it shows why he is not physically ready to step up. Let the eye in the sky do the talking for you. Good luck

thanks for the insight