How to Deal with a High School Coach Who Dismisses Your Child’s Potential

It’s a tough moment for any parent: you believe in your child’s abilities, you see their dedication, and you watch them give their all at practices and games—yet their high school coach doesn’t seem to share your view. Worse, when you approach the coach to seek clarity or feedback, he responds with generic clichés like “He just needs to work harder” or “It’s all about the team, not the individual.” These hollow talking points offer no insight into what your child can actually do to improve or how they’re truly being evaluated. So what can you do to navigate this challenging situation while keeping your child’s confidence and love for the game intact? 1. Keep Perspective: Recognize the Limitations of High School Coaching High school coaches often juggle teaching responsibilities, large rosters, and administrative tasks, leaving limited time for individualized attention. Some are deeply invested mentors, but others may rely on one-size-fits-all coaching approaches, and others may have th...