Whether you're comfortable with it or not , your athletes look to you not only for guidance regarding their sport, but also for advice about non-sports related issues. There's a very good chance that an athlete will come to you to talk about a problem or look for some advice, whether it's personal or team related. Parents may also come to you to discuss their child's sports and overall performance. Two-Way Communication Open communication between you and your athletes or their parents will help you to recognize and eliminate barriers that separate both parties.
Communication is always more effective when people believe it flows two ways.
In other words, let them know your door is always open to discuss problems that they have. Sometimes, all the person needs is a sounding board, and being a good listener helps you build trust with your athletes. So when you hear that knock on your door, remember that being a good listener will help you establish a better relationship with them as people and competitors. You might not want to hear about an athlete's personal problems, but remember that an athlete cannot perform optimally if his or her mind is on those problems. Athletes will come to you because you're an authority figure they look up to.