Rules Schmooles - Coach Team/Dugout/Parent etc. rules....who's got 'em?

[Gudystash24]

I'm trying to put together a list of "rules" for my team we've got a tournament coming up this weekend, our first one... we're young, 10U, but I'd like to be up front with everyone about what I expect from them as players/parents and what they can expect from me... here's what i'm thinking of for now -

Dugout Rules:
• No food of any kind allowed in the dugouts
• No parents allowed in dugout
• No electronics allowed in dugout
• No cheers/chants that are negative towards another player
• No sharing helmets
• No asking “can I play (blank) position”

Parent Info:
• If you need to get something to your child in dugout please hand it over the fence to a coach
• On Saturday we will make every effort to ensure that each girl plays a 1.5 game minimum. This means if we play a total of 12 innings during our 3 games it is our intention that each girl will play a minimum of 6 innings. (Either on field or batting)
• On Sundays the there are NO playing guarantees
• 48 hours – that is the time you must wait before emailing me or calling me with any questions/comments/concerns from the weekend.

any feedback ? or things you can think to add?

Gudy

 

[CoogansBluff]

Parents -
Don't coach players or umpires during games. Let the coaches do that.

 

[canyonjoe]

One I would add is No leaving the dugout unless you are going to the restroom.

I would change to 24 hour rule.

Also on food, I've seen triple headers where there are only a few minutes between games and they need to grab something quick but don't have time to leave the dugout.

 

[CoogansBluff]

• 48 hours – that is the time you must wait before emailing me or calling me with any questions/comments/concerns from the weekend.

That's a long time. It's usually a 24-hour rule, but I've never had a rule like that. If parents have a question or comment and I'm not in a real hurry, I will stop and listen. I've never had enough crazy parent moments to think I needed a ''you can't talk to me now about your child'' rule. I just ask that they be respectful.

 

[Indiana]

I'll add my vote to relaxing the "food" rule. 10 year olds and food can be a tough mix, but it's also important to keep the calories and nutrients coming, especially during double and triple-headers. My DD brings a big ziploc bag with a high powered "gorp" type mixture: cereal, nuts, dried fruit, peanut m&m's.

Parent rules are important, but don't make life harder on yourself by making them too strict - a little flexibility will make things easier. For example - I've found that when the girls need water, a bunch of them will stand at the dugout fence in between innings calling "mom... mom...mom" until any mom looks over. Then they'll ask for water. One of us will get up and hand a bunch of waters over the fence. This is quicker and easier than interrupting the coach to give him/her the water.

 

[Comp]

As indicated, you may want to rethink the food thing especially if you have any players that may have blood sugar issues. Some people need to have a snack at certain intervals to keep the blood sugar at stable levels.

As for the electroncis equipment, that is actually part of the playing rules of the game. No electronic equipment other than scorekeeping equipment is allowed on the fields or dugouts.

 

[cmustangsfp]

My rules.
No demeaning comments. keep it positive. This includes the coaches!

 

[JJsqueeze]

Our rule is no JUNK food. Healthy food is fine.

 

[WARRIORMIKE]

This is a great article by Sports Psychologist Darrell J. Burnett, Ph.D.
"Speaking of game plans, when I was writing an article about Parent
Behavior for the Gatorade Company, I interviewed lots of kids and asked
them about what they want their parents to do at games. They answered by
telling me things they want their parents NOT to do. I think this list,
described in the words of the kids, is a perfect sportsmanship "game plan"
for all of us."

Parent Sportsmanship Game Plan

(10 Things Kids Say They Don't Want Their Parents to Do)

1. Don't yell out instructions. During the game I'm trying to concentrate on
what the coach says and working on what I've been practicing. It's easier for
me to do my best if you save instructions and reminders for practice or just
before the game.

2. Don't put down the officials. This embarrasses me and I sometimes
wonder whether the official is going to be tougher on me because my parents
yell.

3. Don't yell at me in public. It will just make things worse because I'll be
upset, embarrassed, or worried that you're going to yell at me the next time I
do something "wrong."

4. Don't yell at the coach. When you yell about who gets to play what
position, it just stirs things up and takes away from the fun.

5. Don't put down my teammates. Don't make put-down remarks about
any of my teammates who make mistakes. It takes away from our team
spirit.

6. Don't put down the other team. When you do this you're not giving us a
very good example of sportsmanship so we get mixed messages about being
"good sports."

7. Don't lose your cool. I love to see you excited about the game, but there's
no reason to get so upset that you lose your temper! It's our game and all the
attention is supposed to be on us.

8. Don't lecture me about mistakes after the game. Those rides home in
the car after the game are not a good time for lectures about how I messed
up -- I already feel bad. We can talk later, but please stay calm, and don't
forget to mention things I did well during game!

9. Don't forget how to laugh and have fun. Sometimes it's hard for me to
relax and have fun during the game when I look over and see you so tense
and worried.

10. Don't forget that it's just a game! Odds are, I'm not going to make a
career out of playing sports. I know I may get upset if we lose, but I also
know that I'm usually feeling better after we go get a pizza. I need to be
reminded sometimes that it's just a game.
Let's make sure, as parents, we keep all the attention on the field, and not
in the stands.

(From Playbook for Kids: A Parent's Guide to Help Kids Get the Most Out
of Sports. The Gatorade Company)

 

[Gudystash24]

thanks everyone - how do you feel about the sunflower seed spitting that goes on!?