Coaching Tips - Establishing Rules for Your Athletes

Rules are a way of life. We have rules (laws) to follow in every organized civilization, corporation, or organization. There has to be a form of structure that helps prevent chaos. Rules for athletes are sometimes the first steps that an individual has to adhere to in life.

Rules are a necessity. They have to fair to each individual. There also has to be consequences when they are not kept or are broken. I have often heard the phrase "Bend the Rules." To me, bending the rules is breaking them. If you can't maintain the consequences when someone breaks a rule, then why have a rule at all.

One of the biggest problems with our society today is that people try to find a way to circumvent the rules. You need to look no farther than our professional sports. The factor that steroids plays in our society today is amazing. It is a given fact, that people will cheat to get an unfair advantage. It is done in Pro sports, at work, at home, and even in schools.

Despite society, coaches at all levels of school have to have some form of organization, and structure for the purpose of control. If you are a coach or an athletic director, here are some important things to consider.

Whatever rules you may establish, be sure that they are published and handed out to everyone that they might affect. They go to athletes, parents, administrators, teachers, and the other coaches as well. In some cases, it is a good idea to review them one at a time with all involved and have them sign that they understand each rule and the consequences when one is broke. This way, you are protecting yourself and the integrity of the rules. Once you have done this, post them so that they can be viewed regularly.

It is important that the rules are consistent with the other programs and teams that you influence or control. There may be additional rules because of certain circumstances, however, the basic core rules should be the same as is the consequences. Here are a few rules to keep in consideration for young athletes. I list them in no particular order. I also don't list the consequences because all organizations are different.