In-match HS coaching questions

[Teacherman]

Hi folks. I coach a high school team and we are supposed to follow USTA rules for matches.

I am trying to clear up (if possible) what the rules are for speaking to players during matches. Not sure if these are "rules" or more along the lines of etiquette.

Background: we play 10 game pro sets, and typically the head coach or an assistant can talk to his/her players briefly each time the players change sides (except the first switch after 1-0) -- although I have seen several variations, which is why I am posing these questions here today.

My questions:

1) Who specifically is allowed to talk to the player when he/she switches sides? Is it head coach only or all coaches?

Looking at the USTA, it only mentions an "on-court captain" that can talk during side changes except the first changeover. Nothing about a coach, per se. I assume "captain" here is being interpreted as the coach. If so, what about assistant coaches? Are they also considered "captains" and allowed to speak with players?

2) What makes a person a "coach"? Do you have to be paid by the school district or can volunteers and friends also be designated as "coaches"?

I ask this because one team has several "coaches" that routinely speak with players, yet only the head coach is faculty member of the school (others are friends and family)

3) If all coaches are indeed allowed to talk to the player, is it acceptable for two or more coaches to speak with a player at once?

Obviously if the answer to #1 above is "Head Coach only", then this question is moot. I bring this up because I was chastised by an opposing parent for talking to a player with my assistant next to me...yet I played another school that had not one but four coaches talking to a player at the same time during a match.

Like I wrote, these may be more along the lines of etiquette issues, but still: what is the proper procedure for speaking to players during a HS match? Who can do it and under what conditions? Thanks in advance.

 

[fuzz nation]

Well whatever you do, don't let the parents get under your skin; they can be hyper-protective to a fault. If you're the head coach, you're fine with talking to your players on the change-overs. In my experience, the letter of the law usually requires that only one coach can interact with a player through the course of the match. You're the one who coaches your player, but it's not a big deal if your assistant is there listening in. The major issue is that you don't want to interrupt the flow of play.

There will also be some details that might be unique to your coaching circle. I think it's usually a healthy habit to introduce assistant coaches when your teams get together and make sure that everyone is on the same page with who can coach the players. It's usually a good idea to agree on coaching restrictions when one team has only one coach, but the other has two or three. Unless you can find the actual restrictions written down in your interscholastic league's rules, it should be easy enough to revisit the ground rules in that first meeting with a different coach.

What makes a coach? It's rather official where I live in terms of background checks, first aid and CPR certification, etc. for coaches hired by local schools. The grey area comes along when a substitute needs to stand in for a match that the head coach can't attend.

High school tennis can be a bit different from USTA matches as far as coaching goes. The coach's association here voted in a rule that actually allows coaches to roam on the courts during the matches, but this is merely the result of out-of-control egos among a few of those coaches who thought it up. Aside from those knuckleheads, none of the kids or parents care for it and hopefully that "experiment" can be thrown out, since it's distracting and disruptive for the kids

Hopefully the circle you're working in has the rules spelled out to keep those breaches of etiquette to a minimum. If they simply defer to the USTA guidelines, there you go I guess.

Cheers!

 

[Teacherman]

Thanks fuzz nation.

 

[BU-Tennis]

Speaking as a former HS tennis coach, assistant to be exact, and also a former college player, the high school matches are always charged, and someone is acting like a lunatic.

Typically, every tennis league/team/etc., uses the USTA rule book. However, as it is within my state, the state posts changes to the rules, and these might be different then the rules your conference uses, which still might be different from your regional rules. (depending on the different segments your team competes in).

The best thing is to ask for all of the rule changes in paper. If they cannot produce a formal document of the rules, then they don't exist and you will default to the USTA handbook. As a player and coach, I had several sections of my handbook highlighted/marked so that when an opposing coach was making up some stupid excuse i could just show them the book and move on with my game.

Now to answer your questions specifically, at least within my playing area. ONLY a coach or assistant coach can speak to a player at all, and only between odd games. During a tournament then only one coach can speak at a time, but during regular team matches all coaches are allowed to talk to the same player at the same time. Also, a coach is someone who is officially listed with your school district as a coach, and pay has nothing to do with determining who is a coach or not. In my area, I was required to take a coaching course, and to have my first aid/cpr certifications.

Like Fuzz said, do not let parents/coaches get under your skin. If you are well prepared, and have documentation then there is not much you can do. The most important advice I have is to not take your frustration with the other coach or parents out on the player. Rarely does the kid know what is going on because they are so focused on the game, and even if they do they usually hang their head in shame at their teams actions.

 

[Teacherman]

Just following up, here are the answers as provided by my state's HS league:

1) All employed or VHSL “approved” tennis coaches may coach during the appropriate times.

2) A coach is defined as someone who is employed by the school as a coach; or is a volunteer coach who has gone through the VHSL approval process.

3) The number of coaches who may talk to one player at the approved times is not specified, though I doubt that more than one coach talking benefits the player much.

When I asked about how someone become "approved", I was directed to a form for the principal to sign off on. So in essence, a team can have as many "coaches" as they want, provided they submit the proper paperwork.

 

[TennisDawg]

Just following up, here are the answers as provided by my state's HS league:

1) All employed or VHSL “approved” tennis coaches may coach during the appropriate times.

2) A coach is defined as someone who is employed by the school as a coach; or is a volunteer coach who has gone through the VHSL approval process.

3) The number of coaches who may talk to one player at the approved times is not specified, though I doubt that more than one coach talking benefits the player much.

When I asked about how someone become "approved", I was directed to a form for the principal to sign off on. So in essence, a team can have as many "coaches" as they want, provided they submit the proper paperwork.

Those were the rules when I coached 12 years ago. Coaches and assistants had to be certified by the school district. Though I’m not postive that’s a national requirement. The OP should talk to the school athletic director he/she should know.

 

[SteveI]

In all of my experience, only BOE certified coaches could coach during matches. Some coaches are not as diligent and allow others.. players, parents private coaches.

If I see it and I am coaching against them, they will hear about it. There are only certain times when coaching is allowed, again... going to follow rules and will call the other coaches out. Every league has different rules in HS and college. Many of the coaches have no idea what the rules are so just bringing it their attention helps. Other times when it gets heated so have your league rules ready at hand.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Those were the rules when I coached 12 years ago.

Good, cuz so is this thread. I think they've worked it out by now.

 

[happyandbob]

Good, cuz so is this thread. I think they've worked it out by now.

living up to your avatar I see

 

[ChaelAZ]

living up to your avatar I see

 

[TennisDawg]

Good, cuz so is this thread. I think they've worked it out by now.

That’s the rumor!