I coach eighth grade girls and it seems that I am more and more having problems with parents. Coaching this age group sometimes has its drawbacks but of late there seems to be an increasing problem with parents . Things like playing time, possitions played and the drama between the girls and attitude. These things are things that I have not had to deal with in the past. I am open for some suggestions on how to handle these issues without having to be rude or just plain blunt with these parents. HELP!!!!!!!!!

Have you read this article? I highly recommend this article. It will solve most of your problems.
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/dealing-with-parents.html

Also, if your players are old enough, I recommend the Value Point System. It eliminates 80% of those parent complaints about playing time, etc.
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/pr/value-point-system.html

Let us know if this helps.

You may already be doing this but I would recommend having a parents/players meeting once you have your team selected. I do this each year and I cover team rules as well as parent rules. I stress to parents how I will gladly work with them and talk to them about anything except playing time. Through practices and grading film/practices I along with the coaching staff will do the best to help support the players and put the players on the floor during the correct times. Basketball is a difficult sport to coach since only five can play at a time. But I would be open and honest as the season begins that playing time is not guaranteed and will be earned. People must remember that basketball/sports is not always fair or equal.
As coaches we would love to play everyone and have teams that can sub 12 players in and out of games but we don't all have that luxury. So you must be upfront about those things.
Best of luck.

I couldn't agree with Coach Hayden anymore..he was spot-on with his response. That preseason parent meeting is so important in laying down your rules, philosophy and objectives. When it comes to playing time...playing will be fair..but will not be equal.
I have coached girls basketball from 3-4 grade park and rec
through 5-8th grade travel and I will be going into my 4th year coaching girls AAU ball, we will be U-14 next season.
When the teams were young, 3rd to 5th grade, I used equal playing time for ALL girls...easy..every 3 minutes...5 in, 5 out.
Then, as you coach 6th grade and above, the competition increases, and talent levels separate so the best players would get more time...well...the honeymoon was over...that's when I started to catch a little static from a couple parents...mostly the moms...believe it or not,,the dad's kinda let things go.

Be firm...players must earn playing time!!

As for drama among teammates, attitude....yes..I've seen that. It's the age!! Nip it early in the bud with a team meeting explaining behavior like that is unacceptable.

Hang in there coach!!

Coach A

I agree with Coach Hayden and Coach A!

I had preseason meetings with my entire program ( I was the varsity coach ) I laid out all the ground work... explained the rules and regs of the district..... and how players earned playing time. I WAS pretty blunt.... I told them that this is NOT a Park District program... your sons will earn their playing time.... we see them 6 days a week and you see them on game day. I will not discuss playing time OR my philosophy..... but if you are really interested in my philosopy (offense / defense) I will have a meeting with you for that.....

"Things like playing time, THEY EARN THIS - coaching STAFF discretion THIS is NOT open for discussion. We will NOT discuss your son or any other players playing time with you.

possitions played - SAME AS ABOVE The coaches will decide what is in the best interest of the TEAM.... it might not always fit in with your thoughts or desires....WE as a staff need to think about the TEAM and the what is best for the PROGRAM.

and the drama between the girls and attitude. BAD attitudes are the fastest way to earn BENCH TIME.

We as a staff want you to be there to cheer on the TEAM.... be POSITIVE to both teams and all the players. All of our players need encouragement as do the officials..... (while I had a "few" disagreements with officials I tried to treat them with respect) I don't know what your goals are or what your rules are about playing time... you will have to fit that into your program and the meeting.

Coaches, thank you for your input. I have been coaching for Twenty years and this was just something that I needed to see what other people were doing. Very good Ideas and I will surely put them to good use. If there are anymore suggestions out there feel free to put them on here.

Let us know how the meeting goes.

No posting brings out more responses than the word "Parents". Many of these fine coaches on here have given outstanding advice. My approach is just a little more or less political. I do have a parents meeting however, I stress this point. "I am very good at my job, and I'm sure you are very good at yours, so I wont go to your office and tell you how to do your job if you dont come to mine and tell me how to do mine. End of conversation...Coach Mac

You DO have a way with words Mac LOL ..... I love it. You're a real PC guy aren't you.

Ken: PC guy??? oh! now I get it Politically Correct. lol, at my age, I dont have the time for political correctness, further more, I am not running for office. Coach Mac