The relationship between a parent and coach is critical to the success of your dancer(s). Kids gain more confidence and perform better when they know that you support their coach and training. When a parent is always criticizing the coaches or coaching staff, your child will begin to doubt them as well and will find it difficult to have a positive outtake on their training.
Why should you support the coach?
Coaches are one of the greatest influences in an athlete’s life. They can shape your kids to become great athletes and even better people by instilling values of teamwork, discipline, hard work and sacrifice. A coach alone cannot train your child(ren) to their fullest potential. It’s crucial to have your help as well. Kids should develop their skills both on and off the dance floor. So it is important for you to select the right coach for your child, and support them to the best of your abilities.
How can parents help support our child’s coaches?
1. Communicate with them: The best way to develop a relationship with your child’s coach is to talk with them often. Ask them questions on how to improve your child’s skill or what their goals are. When you communicate with the coaches, you gain a better understanding what goes on in their minds, and why they make certain decisions.
2. Offer your help: Sometimes a teacher may need help with things like adding embellishments to outfits, organizing extra practices or even making props. Volunteer your help whenever you can, this will show that you care about the group and make them feel supported.
3. Assist them in training: Athletes/Dancers need more than a few hours of practice to do well. With the help of the parent and coach, they can learn how to train at home as well. Ask the coach if at the end of practices you can take video of all the new choreography that was taught so it can be taken home and rehearsed. Purchase the equipment that can be used at home such has therabands, tennis balls to work out those tight muscles, foot stretchers to help improve the flexibility in the dancers feet and many more home friendly tools. In addition, make sure your child arrives for rehearsal and performances on time, stretched and ready to go.
4. Let them do their job: The best way to support coaches is to trust their strategy, and not challenge them. Have confidence in their ability and teach your kid to do the same. Each child learns and receives information differently. As teachers, they really strive to adapt to what will work for the whole group.
In the end, the coach and parent have the same end goal. We want the dancer to become a well-rounded young adult who has been trained to have discipline, drive, and the ability to manage their schedules. Lastly, we want them to have life skills such as being a great communicator, putting others first, and how to work together as a team.