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Post by coach707 on Sept 20, 2006 5:58:13 GMT -6
I seem to have problems every year with parents and I feel like it could be more of a personal issue rather than a legitimate problem with the way I run my team. The latest issue was a parent going over my head to the principal to complain that I DO NOT give my players water breaks. This parent said that they video taped my practice and It does not show one water break throughout the entire practice! Instead of our principal (who is not big on sports) coming to the source to get both sides of the story, I had to hear it from other sources in the form of gossip. As soon as I found out about this situation I e-mailed him a copy of my practice schedule. My schedule clearly shows that we are on the field for a max of 2 hours and 15 minutes, and during that time I provide 2 big water breaks (about 5 minutes a piece) as well as 2 or more water breaks in our individual periods. The principal e-mails me back asking if 1 water break every 55 minutes of practice time "standard." He basically told me that he feels that there should be more water breaks but he doesnt know what is going on out on the field.
I responded back by asking him if there is evidence (the video) of a coach not providing an athlete with water why wouldnt they bring that forward? I also asked why would I not get an opportunity to give my side of the story when a parent comes to him with such a serious accusation. I also told him that it should be "standard" for a principal to set up a meeting with this parent, the varsity coach and the administration and myself so both point of views could be given.
Coaches, I need some advice. Should I set up a meeting with the principal? Was I wrong for feeling like the principal should have backed me a little more? Does anyone have any info on proper hydration for athletes in the summers heat? If I set up a meeting, I want to dot all of my I's and cross all of my T's.
Any other thoughts or comments are welcome.
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Post by olinecoach61 on Sept 20, 2006 6:05:59 GMT -6
I wouldn't set up a meeting with the principal unless it escalates further. You did your job, if you gave the kids water and its documented, I wouldn't worry about it. I know AFM had an article on proper hydration awhile ago... I'm sure you could find info on studies that have been done on hydration, does your team have a trainer or team Dr. If so, they would be good resources.
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Post by coachcalande on Sept 20, 2006 6:19:49 GMT -6
I think I can offer you some good advice as this is stuff that is learned from experience
1) you will need a thicker skin to be a football coach. every tom richard and harriett thinks they are a better coach than you so get used to criticism. you could go 900-0 winning every game by 40 points but someone will find faults. IGNORE IT AND JUST REMEMBER YOU ARE THE COACH. do whats right for the kids.
2) the admin SHOULD DEFINATELY back the coach but they will probably do what they need to do from their end with allegations such as this. I would smile and nod and tell the principal that a) you will have water at every station (as you should) water bottles, not water breaks is our policy. b) you will find some admin dont have a hint of a clue about how a practice shoudl be run so dont sweat that but remember the chain of command. always.
3) be polite to parents, always first class in how you handle "issues" (even when they are imagined) but be incredibly tough while being fair.
4) preseason meetings, letters and even parent and player contracts might be the best thing you can do in your near future. nip alot of stuff in the bud. ie, we have our playing time policy, our attendance and make up conditioning policies all laid out. we also have expectations for parents....we spell out what time they must arrive to pick up kids, how they should act at games, when tehy can approach a coach with questions, how late they can call etc.
5) welcome to coaching football...your title "head football coach" doesnt say anything about "everyones new best friend". just got to live with that. My motto, love me or hate me at least everyone has an opinion.
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Post by brophy on Sept 20, 2006 7:34:59 GMT -6
pm knighter and ask him about his stories of one of the winningest coaches in Iowa (Harlan).....
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Post by fbdoc on Sept 20, 2006 8:53:20 GMT -6
Coach calande said it very well. OVER-communicate with your parents, and with the principal (and AD) before the season regarding issues such as this. Also request that matters such as this be initially referred to the AD and/or you before the Principal makes a ruling or offers an opinion. This is a very reasonable request, IF you are doing things right!
I don't know where you are located but here in South Florida, our team takes water every 15 minutes. Our philosophy is "Work Hard and Water Hard." It also helps our practices stay up tempo because the kids know that water is just around the corner.
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ndcoach
Sophomore Member
Posts: 135
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Post by ndcoach on Sept 20, 2006 9:00:56 GMT -6
This was what was given to us at our state coaching convention (ND) regarding proper hydration. It comes from Dr. Jane Edwards, sports nutritionist from North Dakota State.
Pre-Exercise: 2 cups (8 oz. Each) at least 2 hours before exercise
1 more cup (8oz.) 15 min prior to exercise
During Exercise: 1/2 to 1 cup every 15 minutes of exercise
Post Exercise: 3 cups for every 1 lb of body weight lost during exercise.
Gatorade was highly recomended as a post exercise drink.
So if my calulations are right you practice for 135 min max and give 4 water breaks, so that is one every 33 minutes. and if your players are drinking 1-2 cups at that time you are pretty much dead on with what has been suggested to our state coaches.
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Post by los on Sept 20, 2006 19:17:26 GMT -6
Wow, you all get "4" water breaks in a 2 hour/15 min. practice? Sweet!! Wish I could have played for you all in high school! lol. los
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Post by coachpoe on Sept 20, 2006 19:35:37 GMT -6
This is my first year as a coach, but as a player we never got "water breaks", we got water bottles as coachcalande said. There was rarely a time when we stopped practices to get water, but if we were in a drill or something when you are at the end of the line you get a couple squirts of water before you are up again. We watered on the go, that way everybody drank and practice stayed high tempo with little down time. As a coach this year I try to use the same philosophy on my players, but I do have one 5 minute water break built into my 2 hour practice. My schedule tells my two assitants to make sure everybody is drinking and that there is water at every drill or station. It has worked well for me as a player and a coach so far.
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Post by coachcalande on Sept 21, 2006 20:06:01 GMT -6
best thing to do to cover your butt is put "when you are thirsty , drink! then drink more when coach tells you to" in your playbook and team rules. my kids know, "dont ask, just get water". sometimes im amazed when i say "water break, two minutes" that no one moves...they have had those water bottles all day. thats the way to go.
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Post by wildcat on Sept 22, 2006 1:45:47 GMT -6
best thing to do to cover your butt is put "when you are thirsty , drink! then drink more when coach tells you to" in your playbook and team rules. my kids know, "dont ask, just get water". sometimes im amazed when i say "water break, two minutes" that no one moves...they have had those water bottles all day. thats the way to go. That's what we do...our managers keep the water bottles filled and the rule is that you drink but don't miss your turn in line. |
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Post by dsqa on Sept 22, 2006 6:07:03 GMT -6
I understand this dilemma, I coach at a private school and have to be aware of things like this on a higher level. I have a trainer who keeps the clock on water/practice breaks for me. He is a contracted trainer for the season from the local hospital organizations that provide sports medicine personnel. This covers my butt on negligence to have a trained professional monitoring the breaks.
I get into practice and focus on things and lose track of time like any coach can, so I ask him to make sure we water the kids every 15 -20 minutes(I live in Florida) on really hot days, and accordingly on others. I also have my injured athletes(that can still walk) provide water bottles accessible during drills at any moment. I tell the athletes they can get water anytime they need it from the bottles as long as they aren't in the drill. Make sure you get it, and get back, but don't miss hydration.
So I probably "overwater" them at times. We take a water break after stretch and form running!
I had a kid this August, even though we watered like this, during pre-season conditioning, who overdid it in the heat, and had a dehydration episode brought on by not eating and drinking properly earlier in the day, and he couldn't replenish fast enough. He was hyperventilating, etc. His heart stopped on the way to the hospital, and they had trouble getting him back. I was helpless because the lack of fluid damage was already done. I do not want that on my conscience. There will be no question about hydration in my football program, PERIOD. If we take a break, everybody drinks and rests. Having a kid almost die on you, sort of brings things into focus, if you know what I mean. WE GET ALL THE WATER WE CAN. I watch that kid like a hawk during conditioning now.
Coach, there are just non-negotiables in what we do, and this game isn't worth dying over. Can I suggest you make the water bottles an assigned aspect of your practice, not a distraction. I understand your frustration with how this was handled, but it sounds like you have parents that will bust you for a lot of things, I wouldn't let water be the reason. There are days we don't take team "breaks" for a while because the kids aren't thirsty, because the flow of water is following them around to the drills and it is cooler outside.
My trainer even mixes this "nasty" electrolyte water that he makes the "crampers" drink, and that has improved. Just isn't worth the hassle to make it a question mark. HYDRATE>
One more suggestion, having been an AD and FB coach in antagonistic relationships with parents over the weakest stuff has taught me the old adage, "keep your friends close, your enemies closer." If it were my program, and I have done this with critical parents before, I approach them directly and ask them to volunteer for their concern. I have had criticism on pre-game meals, I said, "Thank you for your concern, I couldn't agree more that our kids need to eat right and it didn't happen that time, can I get your help in making sure this never happens again. It is really hard to find people to help who care like you, and as a coach, I have so much going on, it would really help, can you help me organize this so we never get in that situation again." Amazing stuff, really works. Funny though, I don't get many complaints from parents, but if I do, I ask them to be a part of the solution where I can.
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Post by coach239 on Sept 22, 2006 6:34:12 GMT -6
Great advice Coach. Thanks for everything.
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Post by coltscoach on Sept 22, 2006 6:55:01 GMT -6
Water is for sissies ... Run them till they puke then run them some more you big softy.
We dont do water breaks at all. We have the sick lame and lazy crew carying water throughout the practice field. Thus we dont stop practice so some sissy can get his fill on go go juice. Most of the whiners are duds who just want to sit around and drink flavored water. Studs being studs will get their water. Or some Lazy kid is going to get hit in the mouth. If a player doesnt get any water its becuase he hasnt asked. 3 coolers 25 individual gatoraide bottles and 4 people walking around with it all over the field. We watched a local university and this is how they did it and would get through there practice much faster and everyone got water systematicaly to keep hydrated instead of guzzeling water.
Time issue.
Break for water 5min water break turns into 7. 2 water breaks 15 min lost each practice, 4 practices a week 1 hour of practice time lost to give water. PLus how many of them drink too much and then get sick after water breaks.
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