A pre-season meeting is a wise investment to help get all stakeholders for your team on the same page. People tend to live up to expectations if they know them. A pre-season meeting can help establish your team culture early.

The most effective way to have your pre-season meeting is in a private setting (such as the home of one of the coaches or parent/caregivers) where you can have the full attention of the group. If this is not possible, then the meeting could be scheduled before one of the first practices or games when the parents/guardians would need to be delivering their kids anyway.

Elaboration on the Agenda

Welcome and Introductions

Coach’s background as athlete, coach, parent/caregivers, etc.
“We’re going to be spending a lot of time together so let’s get to know each other.”
Each person share his/her best, worst or funniest personal moment in sports.
Coaching Philosophy

Our team values

• Positive Youth Sports Experience
• Mastery/Skill Development
• Emotional Well-Being
• Behaving Respectfully
• Dealing with mistakes in competition/Team Mistake Ritual
• Policy on playing time, missing practices, etc.

Goals and Hopes for the Season

• Coach’s goals and hopes
• Parent/caregivers’ goals and hopes
• Athletes’ goals and hopes