by Dr. Alan Goldberg
You best serve your athletes by keeping the lines of communication open between you and them, and taking the time to keep in contact with them on and off the field. Keep in mind that this “taking an interest” in your players does not involve crossing the lines and appropriate boundaries so important to maintaining a healthy coach-athlete relationship. If the subject matter of your discussions with your players moves beyond your expertise and comfort level, guide your athlete to seek professional input from a competent sports psychologist, counselor or other well-trained specialist.
