Practices

Last year was my DDs first year of school ball. I personally like the open practices. I watched from a distance and I could see how she performed and then we could talk about it on the way home. With my work schedule and my daughter's schedules I don't have a lot of time for "social events". Sadly, standing at practice talking to other parents in enjoyable for me and I count that as my social time so I can tell myself I live a balance life!

Some of DD's high school practices took place in the open, out on the HS fields and some of them were out of sight, inside in the gyms, etc. I never considered trying to follow the team inside and didn't generally hang around the outdoor practices either. What I did do a few times, was show up a little early to pick her up and watch what I could see from the parking lot. ;-)

I would have loved to watch every second, but I didn't want to be marked as a "helicopter parent."

BuckeyeGuy said:

Open, but discouraged (assuming Jojo's situation isn't occurring). Maybe practice is the only time they get to see their kids play, So open for that. But high school kids should be independent enough to get through practice without the helicopter parent hovering. Make it clear that parents must not interrupt (including, but not limited to coaching from the stands) practice for anything less than a family emergency.

Click to expand...

It has nothing to do with the independence of minor children. It has everything to do with keeping coaches from sexually assaulting players. Parents in the stands at all practices is a good thing. Unless someone has something to hide.

riseball said:

It has nothing to do with the independence of minor children. It has everything to do with keeping coaches from sexually assaulting players. Parents in the stands at all practices is a good thing. Unless someone has something to hide.

Click to expand...

I realize the OP context is HS practice, and HS students should be gaining plenty of independence and (hopefully) implementing the right vs. wrong lessons their parents have been trying to teach.

However, when I hear a 12U or 14U TB practice is closed, I get pretty damn suspicious. Wait, I'm cutting the check for this. I never interrupt. I drop off DD 10 minutes early and pick her up. Sometimes I watch a little bit. But one of her TB coaches announced a closed practice. I went anyway. I'm glad I did, they were trying to get her to pitch in HE style, tweaking her mechanics, and lots of yelling at al the girls. I went home, called the HC and requested a call back to discuss the practice. No call back. HC began avoiding me, so I sent an email and copied the ACs and manager and politely requested they don't mess with DDs pitching style, too much time and money invested learning from I/R brush interference guru. I also provided links to the DFP pitching stickies and told them it was non-negotiable. I have every right to observe my DD, especially on public property, and they could call to discuss or ask us to leave if they didn't adhere to my requests. Team imploded shorty afterward.

Beware closed practices for the younger kids. Something ain't quite right with that.

I have coached at the high school and middle school with various sports. I also help coach my daughters TB team. I see both sides to an open and closed practice.

99% of the parents in the public school are really supportive but it is that 1% that cause major problems. I have had parent problems myself and seen things happen with other coaches that you can't even imagine. People are crazy when it involves there baby and sometimes its even the teachers that are the worst parent problems.

On the other hand, you want to see how your child is doing and what they are being taught. I know I would like to watch my child. I have also seen parents try coaching their kid and contradicting the coach at practice/game. It's a tough situation and some coaches choose to put up a wall. They want to coach and not deal with drama associated with all that comes with an open practice. Everyone involved needs to realize that most HS coaching is part of someones job and not their hobby. If both sides are professional it all works out. Unfortunately you can see from our world everyday that people don't act right.

It also comes down to how your administration supports you in these situations. At times it has been school policy to close practice. Now I can't even post the names of players that made the team. We have to give them a id number and post the team by that number. How crazy is that?

Either way you need to be supportive unless its a safety or abuse issue.

DD is in first yr of HS season. I would love to see practice doubt I will other than few minutes waiting to pick her up. Dont even know if coach has policy regarding parents watching. I trust DD to let coach know about what pc is instructing and not deviate from it. When I coached rec and TB I liked parents there and made a point when addressing the team to position the team in front of the parents. I want the kids to know and also the parents what is expected .

I think the OPEN but DISCOURAGED is about the right philosophy.

Outdoors the outfield fence or parking lot would be preferred and absolutely NO talking to the kids when they cross the lines they are the coaches kid. (Obviously assuming there are not safety or security concerns)

Last year we had the pre season meeting, and due to the terrible weather the team had yet to hold an outdoor practice. The coach says "Practices are always open to parents, even though we are indoors that has not changed you are welcome to observe" My DD catches my eye from across the room, points at me and shakes her head no.

HS practice is for the kids and not the parents. Before she drove if I arrived to practice early to pick her up, I would wait in the car. Its better for everyone. The only HS practice I ever went to from beginning to end was Basketball tryouts 9th grade. It was her first athletic activity since being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I was worried sick and she was mortified that I was there. The rest of the week I let the coach know I would be in the parking lot if he needed me.

I don't think I ever attended a practice when my kids were playing HS sports. Well, except for a couple where I was asked by the coach to come and help. I'm amazed that anyone can given that if the practices are after school they're often done before a lot of people get off of work. Especially if you don't live and work in the same town. I was lucky to make it to games on time most of the time.

I'd say they should be open if parents want to silently watch. For some, it might be a good education as to why their kid isn't getting more playing time. "Silently" is the key word, though.

riseball said:

It has nothing to do with the independence of minor children. It has everything to do with keeping coaches from sexually assaulting players. Parents in the stands at all practices is a good thing. Unless someone has something to hide.

Click to expand...

It has nothing to do with sexual assaults and everything to do with letting them become their own persons. Parents in the stands at all practices is a distraction, unless they're just paranoid about something.

Sorry, the smart a$$ just leaps out of me when people start making everything-nothing claims that can't possibly be factual in nature.