Posted on 11/22/2005 8:37:58 AM PST by sparkomatic
My daughter is a sophomore in HS. A couple of nights ago I went to the school for a parent/coach meeting. Since I got there a few minutes early, I stepped into the gym to watch a few minutes of practice.
The coach told me to leave because it's a "closed practice".
I said, "you mean I can't watch?"
He said, "No."
I left but I didn't like it.
As soon as the meeting started I told him what I thought. I explained that it's my kid. My school since I pay taxes. I'm not going to coach from the side lines, etc. He says it's his policy to close practices. He gave a bunch of reasons, but flimsy ones.
I got a call just now from the athletic director. He wants a meeting with me. I suspect he perceives me as a threat. I don't know why. My daughter has been at the school for 2 years now and has played volley ball, ran track and now basketball. I have never caused a problem.
What do you think?
Rent the movie "Hoosiers"
It's your kid, your tax money, and his team. Deal.
Get a lawyer.
Home School
Get a jump shot.
Speaking both as a player and as a parent of a player, my advice is to accept it as a matter of team concentration. They don't see you as a pedophile or anything like that, they just would like the team to be able to practice without any need to look over their shoulders.
There is also the matter of parents trying to second-guess the coach at every turn, why isn't my kid playing as much, let me show you a play my boy & I worked out over the weekend, that sort of thing.
Ask if they will have another practice when parents can watch, I think they'll accomodate you at some point.
Well, I think that you and... your child...xxkjdf...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
If you trust the coach I say let them have their closed practice. My son plays basketball, and I know how hard it is to get high school kids to be focused.
Closed practices can help build teamwork and improve group performance by excluding outside distractions. I say give the coach a break.
Does that mean you get to go in the girl's bathroom?
I think you should let the coach do his job without parental interference.
My take - a dad with a daughter now playing div I sports in the Big East - when coach says leave, leave. It's his team, his practice, and you have no role to play.
I did get a little irate, but not in front of the kids. I have never attempted to coach my kid. I've never been to a basketball practice until that one day. I have observed many of her volleyball practices without incident.
I agree. I pay taxes to for these schools, so why can't I be in the high school girl's locker room with a camera?
As a former part-time coach:
1. Sometimes the coach needs to be the complete boss. Parents interfere.
2. Kids act/play different when parent is present (usually not as well from nervousness to show-boating).
3. Make an exception for you, then all parents get to come.
4. You could be a spy, child molester, freak show, or just someone looking over the should distracting the coach.
You apparently have never played on a organized school team sport.
"Closed practices" mean "closed practices."
Now if you want to change the rules then I suggest you apply for the coach's job.
good luck... LOL
A question or two come to mind... Is he doing something in practice he ought not be doing? (probably not because you probably would have heard about it by now), but more likely, Does he not trust the adults from spying for other teams (more likely)... Basketball shouldn't be such a big deal that you can't enjoy watching your daughter practice .... and a third is he might not want mom and dad coaching from the sidelines... hope the AD isn't a dork
Well, you've answered your own question. You got irate when you (with all due respect) were in the wrong. You became a "threat" at that moment.
Go to the games and root (positively) like hell.
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