One of the most difficult parts of being a coach can be delivering negative news to parents/guardians and athletes – whether that be around selection, current performance or more specific issues around behaviours and attitudes. Rather than be taken by surprise, coaches can lay the foundations for such conversations, ie How proactive are you being with your feedback? Do players and parents/guardians have an idea of how they are progressing? Are you prepared to have those conversations when they’re needed, or do you put them off?