Again, is there a rule that allows or doesn't allow this ? Does the KHSAA have anything on this ? The parent issue has been discussed in many threads before and we're all aware of the problems. As far as wanting to attend practices, there could be a number of reasons, however, just looking for an answer to the question.

 

No Rule, for or against.

Why would a parent want to attend a practice?

 

Bingo. That should be the question.

I know Madison Central has closed practices. At least they did when my children attended there.

Although I see everyone is talking about parents, I'm aware of one team that closed its practices because of student "groupies" that liked to hang around practices and distracted the players...

 

The coaches had the parents under control...but had no real control over these kids, who weren't related to the players...so they closed practices.

As far as I know there is not a rule that discusses this. We have closed practices. No one is allowed in the gym (parents, students, etc.)

At our school, closed practices are the rule. The main concern is the kids. If you ask most of the kids, they do not want their parents there. Many of the parents who want to attend all of the practices want to do so probably because they want to coach their own kid from the stands. I have a parent in the past that even wanted to go to all of the meetings/film sessions, and team-bonding outings. The kid of this particular parent actually asked me if I could ban his parent from all of the games. I know parents think they are being supportive, but they are actually distancing themselves from their child.

 

It can also cause safety issues and liability concerns. For example, if you allow open practices, then you end up having the friends and siblings of the players come and then the coach ends up not only having to worry about their players and the practice, but the little kids running around the gym and the other students from the school that want to hang out, with no supervision. If the gym doors are left unlocked, anyone can come into the school. When I was coaching middle school basketball about 5-6 years ago, I actually had a high school kid come into the practice and try to "beat-up" one of the middle school players. Things like this are rare, but can happen and as a coach, I will always put the safety and concern of my players first.

Practices are for the Coaches to instruct and the Players to learn. Not for the Parents, to observe and critique the efforts of the staff or whom should be playing.

 

Having a player, look into the stands for the parent, after getting scolded or instruction, serves no purpose.

Why would a parent want to attend a practice?

 

Nail on the head! Do coaches want to go to their work and watch them? Don't think so.

Closed practices are perfectly legal and should be the rule, in my opinion. Parents can attend games to see their child play, but should leave the coaching up to the person hired to do so. There is no real need for a parent to sit and watch practice. If you have that much time on your hand and you love basketball, volunteer to coach the youth league, organize a fundraiser or paint the locker rooms. There are many ways to positively contribute. All your child to stand on his/her own two feet.

Malchicrunch has posed the perfect response the the question that he/she posed: Why would a parent want to attend a practice?

 

Parental motivation to attend is psychologically unhealthy, and in virtually every instance, is not motivated by a reason other than to create difficulties for the coach. This is normally due to the lack of playing time that the child of the parent is receiving and is not about what is best for the team as a group. Umbilical cords are universally severed in the delivery room, therefore they should never extend into the gym during practices.

I'd say that if it was a situation like "Hoosiers", then, yes, the coach should say something and ask the parents to leave. If they're just showing up to pick there kids up and they're there for 15 minutes or so every once in awhile, (especially if they stay out of the way and are not a distraction) then no need to make a big deal out of it. I'd say, leave it a non-issue until it becames and issue.

Practices are for the Coaches to instruct and the Players to learn. Not for the Parents, to observe and critique the efforts of the staff or whom should be playing.

 

Having a player, look into the stands for the parent, after getting scolded or instruction, serves no purpose.

 

This is quite possibly the best post I have ever read on BGP. :thumb:

Obviously things have not gotten better for Coach Elkus.

Obviously things have not gotten better for Coach Elkus.

 

The situation was a couple of years back. According to the players, one of the assistant coaches was using foul language, nothing really terrible but still, four letter words. The coach was also making less than desirable remarks about one of the players. A couple of parents asked to be aloud to sit in on practices and were told no way. The AD was then brought in. The situation was handled. It was then that I asked a high school AD about closed practices and was told they were not permitted.

 

Nothing to do with Andy Elkus. But I do hope things get better.

IMO: All practices, from grade school to high school should be closed to anyone that is not a player, part of the coaching staff or managers.