As a youth coach for more than ten years, Vaughn Miller of Dallas, Texas, has been the recipient of heartfelt gratitude from kids and parents in the community. Many of them have been appreciative over the years for helping them reach their goals in sports.
While there are many coaches like Mr. Miller, there are coaches who can be overly critical, always calling attention to the players’ weaknesses and flaws to a point where it feels almost like bullying. As a parent, you have to be on the lookout to address these concerns.
If your child tells you they are uncomfortable with the feedback they’re getting, try and be present during practice so you can watch and listen to the coach. That way, you can assess for yourself whether to take further action. Where the style of coaching is too cynical and almost comes off as personal, blow the whistle on such behavior by contacting the athletic director. As a parent, you also have every right to tell the coach to stop.
Vaughn Miller coaches the TCU Women’s polo team.
Vaughn Miller of Dallas 