How you talk to your child's coach depends partly on what issue you're addressing. If your child has been having issues at home that are interfering with his training, or if he's being bullied or having issues at school, then you should address this privately. Make an appointment with the coach and sit to discuss things one on one, calmly and with time. If the conversation is about general issues and will only take a few minutes, it might be easier to approach the coach after a practice session.
Prepare in Advance
If you were given reading material when you signed up your child for a team or sport, go through it carefully. You might find that your questions are answered there. If not, there might be tips on how to deal with certain situations or whom you should address. Some problems might need to be addressed directly to a school, rather than a coach himself. Next, have a talk with your child. Discuss the issue with her and find out her feelings and impressions. According to Mom's Team, kids might have a different perspective of the problem. If she's the one complaining about something, you need to be clear on what she wants and why she's dissatisfied, so you can address the issue directly with the coach.
Focus on Finding a Solution
No matter how upset or distressed you are about the situation, losing your cool will only make the talk more difficult. Set up an appointment if possible and when it's time to talk, be very direct and specific about the issue you want to address. Be assertive but watch your tone and body language. Give the coach a chance to explain or help you before you go on the defensive. According to Baseball Tips, if the issue involves other kids or parents, it might be a good idea to ask them to be present. Above all, look for common ground and focus on resolving the problem. Your ultimate goal should be to find a solution, even if that means some give and take on your part.
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