I had two kids play college sports. So, these issues come up quite a bit.
My kids' coaches did.
Yes, you have to guidelines. You can make the guidelines apply to everyone. "You can't room with your SO during team trips" is pretty neutral.
At the college level, most kids are there to play the game. So, all a coach really has to do is say, "Either you abide by the rules, or you are off the team."
Some coaches are hesitant to enforce rules against "the star" players.
On my team, there would be a strict rule against PDAs at team events. So, I would never have any direct knowledge about who was dating whom. I would only know about rumors.
My answer would likely be, "Go ask Wendy and Lisa."
Do you think those are the kinds of rules that should be enforced for inter-team dating?"
My kids' coaches did.
it seems that for most responses from people who have dealt with it that some sort of guidelines ought to be in place, like no rooming together on the road or not PDA during team events.
Yes, you have to guidelines. You can make the guidelines apply to everyone. "You can't room with your SO during team trips" is pretty neutral.
It is impossible for a coach to control what happens.Does that go far enough or should a coach actively discourage/ban dating?
A coach can't wait until it causes a problem. You have to make the rules clear from the beginning. And, then the coach has to enforce the rules.Should a coach address the subject at all, or wait until/if something happens that causes a team disruption?
At the college level, most kids are there to play the game. So, all a coach really has to do is say, "Either you abide by the rules, or you are off the team."
Some coaches are hesitant to enforce rules against "the star" players.
And here's one that hadn't been thrown out -- how should a coach respond if they a) know thier players, Wendy and Lisa, are dating b) know that Wendy isn't out to her parents and c) get directly asked about whether Wendy and Lisa are dating by one of those parents? Is it better to out the kid or lie to the parents?
On my team, there would be a strict rule against PDAs at team events. So, I would never have any direct knowledge about who was dating whom. I would only know about rumors.
My answer would likely be, "Go ask Wendy and Lisa."