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Is sideline yelling really making you a better coach—or just a louder one?
Too many think passion means volume, but that can teach kids all the wrong lessons. In this episode, Coach Bill Flitter and Steve Collins—both seasoned leaders on and off the court—break down true coaching etiquette.
How’s your sideline behavior impacting your team?
Discover how to:
Model calm under pressure.
Handle confrontations with class.
Set the right example for players and parents.
More coaching gems ahead.
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As the calendar flips to August here in Wisconsin, the intensity of the upcoming season begins to feel real. Before we dive headfirst into practice plans and scouting reports, it's the perfect time to commit to the principles of coaching etiquette—the unwritten playbook that defines our character and our program's reputation. This code of conduct begins with how we carry ourselves with opponents and officials. It's the firm pre-game handshake with a rival coach, the respectful "sir" or "ma'am" when addressing an official, and the class to handle both a tough loss and a big win with dignity. Demonstrating this professionalism, especially when calls don't go our way, sets the ultimate example of sportsmanship for our players and signals to the entire community that we value integrity as much as victory.
This commitment to etiquette extends inward to our daily interactions with players and their parents. It involves establishing clear communication protocols with parents at the start of the season, ensuring that conversations are professional and scheduled, not emotional and post-game. With our athletes, it means delivering constructive criticism with respect, maintaining a professional boundary, and holding every player to the same high standard of conduct. A coach who masters this unwritten playbook—who controls their sideline demeanor, chooses their words carefully, and represents their school with class—builds a foundation of trust and respect that outlasts any single season. The X's and O's may win the game, but it's our etiquette that builds a legacy.
Keywords:
coaching etiquette, sportsmanship, coach professionalism, WIAA coaching standards, communicating with officials, sideline demeanor, coach-parent communication, building a respected program, high school coaching, coaching ethics, opponent relations, role model coach, pre-season preparation, coaching best practices, sideline integrity
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