coaching

All coaches in DYA programs are volunteers as are the commissioners of the respective programs. Parents may volunteer by checking the box on the player's application form for coach or assistant coach. For basketball, baseball, softball, and tee-ball, some of the varsity coaches at Dublin's high schools conduct a coaches' clinic before their respective seasons.

Parents wishing to be the head coach are also asked to fill out a coaching application which serves as an introduction of the coach to the volunteer commissioner. Following sign-ups the commissioners are provided the coaching applications and a list of parents who check the respective coaching boxes on the applications. Based on the number of teams in the respective league the commissioner selects coaches from among candidates. In some league commissioners must recruit from among parents volunteering to be assistant coaches.

Each coach signs a Code of Conduct stating his/her agreement to set a high standard of conduct in the performance of duties, be a leader in controlling players, parents, and fans of the team, and to be an example of good sportsmanship.

Q: If I volunteer to coach, will I get a team?

Not all applicants who wish to coach assigned a team. In some leagues there are more applicants than teams. The selection of the coaches is at the sole discretion of the commissioner, with subsequent approval by the Board of Directors.

It should also be noted that at the end of the basketball, baseball, and softball seasons there is a meeting of commissioners, umpire/referee supervisors, and program Directors to discuss the season just completed. In some cases, commissioners, Directors, or supervisors will recommend that specific coaches who do not perform according to the Code of Conduct be limited in, and sometimes excluded from, future coaching consideration based on experience of the season just completed.

Q: Do I need to fill out a new coaching application each year?

It is requested and highly recommended. At the start of each season volunteer league commissioners are provided information about persons wishing to coach. League Commissioners are volunteers and my change from season to season. The coaching application is your introduction to the league's commissioner. Furthermore, the one filled out last year does not include your latest experience, if you were selected last year to coach.

Q: Will my son/daughter be on the team I coach?

Absolutely. The children of the coaches are placed with their parents, unless the parent coach specifically requests otherwise. Each head coach may designate prior to team assignment or player draft one assistant coach for the team. The sons/daughters of the head and assistant coach are placed on the coaches' team prior to any player assignment or draft. In the case of basketball for grade 4 through 12, where all players, including coaches' children, are drafted, children of coaches may not be drafted by other teams.

Q: How are assistant coaches assigned?

Each head coach may select one and only one other parent to be the team's designated assistant coach. Thus, if two or more parents want to help a specific head coach, it is the head coach who will make the selection of his/her assistant. Other parents who wish to coach and whose children are assigned or drafted by a team may also assist at the head coach's pleasure once the season begins. Parents are encouraged to assist, but past practices of picking multiple assistant coaches and pre-assigning multiple players together has been discontinued.