Quick introduction: my name is Sal Toner, and I am the owner of F.C. Chaos Boxing & Fitness. I have owned my own gym for the last five years and have been in the fitness industry for approximately twelve years. I've trained kids ranging in age from four to eighteen."
Throughout the years, I have picked up some best practices that parents use when signing up for my gym, and I wanted to share them with you.
Honest Parent-Kid Conversations After the Initial Session
Ensuring the Classmates/Environment is Where Your Child Will Grow (Looking for Alternatives if it Isn't)
Finding Coaches that Earn Both You and Your Kid's Respect
Ensuring That Safety is Always the Number One Priority
Aligning Your Goals, Your Child’s Goals, and the Coaches' Goals
Honest Parent-Kid Conversations After the Initial Session
In my gym and in many sports, there is a trial or tryout. During this session, your kid will be challenged in a new and fun way. At the end of this session, the parent will very often turn to their kid as they stand in front of their new coach (me) and ask, "Hey Johnny, how did you like it?" The kid will almost always answer in a positive way. Understand that there is underlying pressure added by asking them right in front of me and the gym. Instead of this approach, simply move the conversation to the ride home and have an honest conversation with your kid, explaining the commitment and agreeing on common goals.
2. Ensuring the Classmates/Environment is Where Your Child Will Grow (Looking for Alternatives if it Isn't)
Look around at the fellow classmates/gym members and make sure they push your child to improve and to be better, not only athletically but overall. If for whatever reason that may not be the case, ask about ways to put your kids around the right peers to push them out of their comfort zone.
3. Finding Coaches that Earn Both You and Your Kid's Respect
If you do not respect your child’s coach, your child will likely never respect his or her coach. If there is any reason for you not to respect your kid’s coach, it may be time to find a new coach. The more respect you give to your kid's coach, the more they will respect them, and the more likely they are to become successful.
4. Ensuring That Safety is Always the Number One Priority
This is a pretty straightforward and simple thing to look for, and if at any time you feel the safety of your child is compromised, immediately bring this to the attention of the coach.
Sidebar: Allow the coach to push the limits of your child both mentally and physically but keep safety in mind. Voice your opinion and give the coach the opportunity to explain the logic behind why the risk is worthwhile.
5. Aligning Your Goals, Your Child’s Goals, and the Coaches' Goals
Have a conversation with your kid and with your kid's coach to make sure everyone is on the same page as far as the goals of the sport. If the coach is aware of your goals for your kid and your kid's personal goals, they are more equipped to help them achieve them and set their own goals for success. A lot of times, coaches are left guessing what the parent and kid are looking to accomplish through the sport, and a simple conversation can make a world of difference. If the kid, coach, and parent all understand that the object of starting to box is to build confidence or to build speed and endurance, everyone is on the same page and can move forward.
These are five takeaways I've gathered over the years that I've found to be successful in fostering a healthy parent, kid, and coach relationship. While I am not yet a parent and have not been on the other side of the equation, I believe most parents would agree that these simple five steps can have a tremendous impact on coaching young, healthy, and happy kids.