Negative HS coaches

not very common from what I've seen. I've run since middle school and now in college. I obviously don't see how other coaches act at practices, but at meets I rarely see a negative coach

I thought it was very unusual. I know the guy used to have talented teams but he doesn't anyore and he hasn't adjusted to it.

questioning observer wrote:

Spring track is not a popular sport in my daughters high school. One reason is their coach who seems to attempt motivation (I guess) through negativism. He frequently puts down girls or gets angry after races. These girls take running seriously, work hard, go to all practices and sometimes win and sometimes lose. Sometimes they are tense and it seems to affect their running.

Typical comments from the coach, that was a terrible race, or the rely team did ok but you, your form was bad, you didn't want to win that race, or the most common response shaking his head in anger and not talking to the girls. Now occasionally he will give some understated positive but its more negative.

How common is this?

It may not be that common, but it sounds a lot like my daughter's old coach. He seems to think threats and intimidation will motivate the girls, but of course the opposite it true. We had to take it to the school administration and after enough parents complained, he was let go. I wish I had a better solution for you, but it's just a tough situation.

Take a look at this thread about boys vs. girls coaching -

There's a lot of good information there. Good luck!

questioning observer wrote:

Spring track is not a popular sport in my daughters high school. One reason is their coach who seems to attempt motivation (I guess) through negativism. He frequently puts down girls or gets angry after races. These girls take running seriously, work hard, go to all practices and sometimes win and sometimes lose. Sometimes they are tense and it seems to affect their running.

Typical comments from the coach, that was a terrible race, or the rely team did ok but you, your form was bad, you didn't want to win that race, or the most common response shaking his head in anger and not talking to the girls. Now occasionally he will give some understated positive but its more negative.

How common is this?

wow, he sounds pretty insecure. My coach only gets mad if we dont try hard, for example, when we were doing intervals at 68 per 400 some people were running 80's and he was pissed because they were half-assing the workout.