HOW DO I FIND OUT WHAT MY COACH EXPECTS OF ME AS A PLAYER?
That’s easy. Ask the coach and be specific: “Coach, how’s my defense? What about my passing? Is there anything you want me to work on?” Get a regular report card from your coach by asking questions. Have the courage to find out what your strengths are as well as your weaknesses. You won’t improve as an all-around player until you improve all parts of your game.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM THE COACH?
Respect goes both ways. Coaches and players should respect one another. That is, just as you respect the coach’s decisions and demands, the coach will respect your hard work and effort. The same goes for the assistant coaches and parental volunteers. Remember, you are all working together toward the common goal — to be the best team you can be.

Your coach will expect you to be on time for practices and games. If there is any reason you can’t make a practice or game, your coach will expect you to let him or her know as far in advance as possible. That is your responsibility and your coach will expect you to respect that responsibility.

The coach will also expect you to be focused at practice and during games. Coaches do not like to repeat themselves because a player or two are not listening. Stay focused on the coach and what is being discussed.

Finally, learn to share your feelings with the coach. Good coaches want to build a solid rapport with their team. Be sure there is an open line of communication between you and the coach. If you have a question or a concern, let the coach know. Coaches can make you better if you let them. Remember, coaches are on your side.

DEALING WITH TEAM RULES
If you follow all the rules your coach puts in place, there should never be a problem with team discipline. That’s the easy solution.

If you find yourself in the coach’s doghouse for breaking a team rule, do the right thing: Apologize to the coach. Take your punishment and move on. Problems only get out of hand when players begin to challenge the coach’s disciplinary system.

If, however, you feel you were unfairly singled out for disciplinary action, then ask to speak to the coach privately. Explain your side of the story. A good coach will listen to your argument before making a final decision. Sometimes the coach will decide not to discipline you after hearing your side. Either way, once you have had your say, let the coach make the decision and move on.

The coach has the power to decide who plays and who doesn’t. In the long run you are always better off learning to adjust to the coach’s team rules.

WHEN THINGS AREN'T GOING YOUR WAY, WHO DO YOU TURN TO?
Let’s say you have struggled during a stretch of games. You aren’t shooting well, some of your passes have resulted in turnovers, rebounds seem to be out of your reach, and the coach is playing you less and less.

What do you do? Talk to the coach! Ask the coach for an honest analysis of what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong. Ask the coach if he or she has any ideas to help you get out of your slump. You may be surprised —your coach might just give you a pat on the back, tell you to relax, and that things will get better. The coach also might have some ideas of how you can turn things around. But the bottom line is that the coach will be pleased to know you wanted his or her opinion and that you are working hard to improve. Talk to the coach! Ask the coach for an honest analysis of what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong.