Ken Eriksen, 2020 Olympic Coach, discusses a popular topic for coaches: Parents.
At the youth level, a player's parents are their biggest fans. While this sometimes leads to over-zealotry, many parents are practical about their kid's progress and respect the coach. As a coach, it's important to play the role of the diplomat. Developing respect by being forward about your expectations and boundaries with parents will make it clear how you conduct your program.
Eriksen also encourages parents to let their kids, starting at a young age, address problems directly with the coach. Teaching players to vouch for themselves will carry over into many other critical life skills like problem-solving and honest communication.