Parents

 

 PARENT RESPONSIBILITES

The youth sports experience is an exciting time for both the participant and the parents. The game is a time to test the skills learned. The following are some items each parent should be concerned about in their child’s youth sports experience.

1. Support your child – win or lose. It is important that a child know you still love and care for them if they win or lose. Please don’t let a game get in the way of those feelings. If they miss the shot, drop the ball, or strike out to end the game, let them know they are still OK and you love them. 
2. Encourage your child to learn. Sports are a great place to learn a lot about life. The game is fun to learn, but don’t forget the other opportunities to learn. Getting along with others, respecting authority, and playing fair are some valuable lessons.
3. View the youth sports experience as an important part of your child’s development. Please do not think of the team as babysitting service, but as part of a classroom where kids are learning.
4. Attend your child’s game. Kids really care if you come to the games. It also gives you an opportunity for some quality time and teaching time following games. When kids are asked if they feel they play better when parents come to watch them, they almost always respond they play better.
5. Keep the goals of the program in mind. Parents must keep in mind that they set the proper example and teach their child proper attitudes. Often the bad reputation youth sports receive is from negative behavior by parents in the grandstands. During games, support the team and do not confuse your child or other children by a show of emotion or rage. The youthful participant is nervous, and children handle stress in different ways. Don’t become a parent/guardian who puts too much pressure on the child to excel. Let the kids live their own youth sports experience, not you live it for them.
6. Don’t undermine the coach. The coaches’ decision or strategy should not be questioned. It is easy to armchair quarterback and to openly criticize your coach. This only confuses the child. If you feel you would be a better coach, let us assure you opportunity is there for you to get into coaching. 
7. Lend your support to the team and league. There are many ways to accomplish this item. Helping out with refreshments and carpooling the team are of great benefit and can be a big help to the teams. Never criticize a player on your team or another team. Lead by example. 
8. Have patience with your child. Please realize that children mature at different rates. Your child may not be a strong player now, but in a few years they may develop into a better player. Also, remember that fine line between encouragement and pushing the child.
9. Provide proper equipment for your child. LCPR provides each player articles of equipment. If you should want to buy additional equipment then please be sure it meets safety rules and standards.
10. If after the season starts you find out there is a school trip or church event. Once the season starts, it is difficult to reschedule games, and with weather situations it can make it impossible. Please alert your coach immediately when you discover a schedule conflict. Depending on the team size and if LCPR is notified within 7 days prior to the scheduled game, there is a possibility the game may be rescheduled. Personal trips do not qualify for consideration.
 
As a parent or guardian your rights include a safe and fun experience for your child. You should be able to receive information about the program when requested, know how to report complaints and receive response from LCPR and be protected from revenge when a complaint is filed. We hope everyone associated with the program will follow the Golden Rule and treat others, as they would like to be treated.


Parent Spectator Scenarios and Expectations

 
To insure that everyone involved with the youth sports environment are aware of expected behaviors and the results of negative behaviors, the following situations are addressed.
1. Our child is on a team, but we don’t know what’s going on. The coach should conduct a team meeting at the first practice. They should cover team rules and procedures. They should give you their phone number, if they don’t, then ask for it. They will not have a schedule of games yet. Ask your questions then concerning how things will be handled. If you miss the meetings ask the coach to meet with after another practice. Please call your coach do learn when or where your team will be practicing, if it’s rained out, or other detailed information.
2. My child is not playing at all. Each one of the LCPR programs has minimal participation rules that must be observed by the coach. If your child is not playing in each game report it to LCPR immediately. Once a coach fulfills those minimum participation requirements, it is their call about how much each individual plays.
3. The coach of the team does not like my child and/or treats them badly. At least one coach per team must be NYSCA Certified. This training instructs coaches on how to treat young athletes. The first step is to set up a Coach-Parent Conference where the situation can be discussed. Do not use the phone to register your complaint with your coach. You should bring someone preferably not a spouse but someone impartial and the coach should bring someone to cover the complaint. Do not hold the conference in view or earshot of the team members. Hopefully, the situation can be resolved using this method. The second step if the Coach-Parent Conference fails is to contact LCPR about the situation. LCPR will dispatch a Staff member to preside over the next Coach-Parent Conference.
4. The Coach of the team does not know anything about what they are doing. All coaches of LCPR are volunteers. They coach because they want to give something back. Some are very good and others are learning and given the opportunity will get better. The coach of the team is responsible for the decisions. You as the parent must abide by those decisions. Do not place your child in a situation where you cause conflict by telling them to ignore what the coach says and do what the parent says. If you feel the coach is not up to your expectations call LCPR. We’ll try to find a place where you can help the team. Parents should not be in a team area unless to attend to an injury.
5. The officials miss calls on our team and cost us the ballgame. Officials working youth league games may make a mistake, but they do not cheat. Like the kids, many of LCPR umpires and referees are just beginning. LCPR will strive to put the best available officials to work its games; however there is a limited pool to draw from. Often they are run off by comments and abuse dealt by the spectators. When a mistake is made or you think they made a mistake, do not verbalize this or cause a scene. A LCPR Staff member may ask you to get control of your emotions. If you can’t or ignore the warning you may be asked to leave. If you fail to leave of your own accord, law enforcement will be called. LCPR will then exercise its options under the Discipline Policy. Do not approach an official after a game. If you communicate a threat you may be arrested. Also, you are setting a bad example for the kids in shifting blame or finding someone to blame when things don’t go like you want.
6. How do I explain to my child that an official just cost them the game? In all games there are going to be mistakes made by everyone involved with the game. Coaches and players mistakes are more easily forgiven. LCPR realizes what may seem to be the pivotal “call” was part of a game where there were many opportunities that could have changed the outcome of a game. Explain to your child that in games and in life there is going to be times when things don’t always go perfectly or fairly. There will be other games and next time the calls may or may not go our way. If you feel you can do better than the officials, LCPR will be happy to include you in our Official Training program.
7. Our team hardly practices or they seem to practice all the time. LCPR recommends that youth league teams have no more than 3 practice sessions per week that last for an hour to an hour and a half. Children have many outlets of involvement with organizations, school, church, and talent development. They should not be denied these opportunities. For participation purposes, a coach can only hold players accountable for the recommended 3 practice sessions per week. If you feel your team is practicing too little or too much report it to LCPR. 
8. The other team is acting unsportsmanlike. Although it will be tempting to fight fire with fire do not. Children will behave as children. Adults must set the proper example. If it occurs tell your team that you will not behave in that manner and to ignore the other team’s taunts. Do not take it upon yourself to defend or correct the situation. Report the behavior to LCPR.

Like To Get Involved?
 
A wise man once said, "If you're not a part of the solution, then you're a part of the problem". LCPR has openings for interested parents to become active in the program. Coaches, team parents, assistant coaches, cheerleader sponsors, scorekeepers, clock operators and gate personnel are always in short supply. If you want to help out, please let us know and we can get you in the game.

Within the team, all parents can work together and work out rides to the games and practices. You can help out with refreshments. There is no end to the opportunities for your assistance within the team if you get involved. Sure, it takes time and work, but when your child grows up beyond these development years and participation is no longer guaranteed, you will have fond memories of your involvement with your child.

YOUTH SPORTS ARE TRULY NOT WHO WINS OR LOSES, BUT HOW WE PLAYED THE GAME!