How can I help my coach to understand my LD and not accuse me of eing lazy or just not listening?

Question

I have ADHD and LD. If it helps to know my LD's are with Sequencing, Organization, and Visual and Auditory Short Term Memory. When we learn new drills in lacrosse I get really confused (dance and swimming are not this way). To teach new drills the coach stands and starts talking, rather quickly and he'll say: "Everyone stand in four corners. Corner one will pass across the there right and corner two will receive and pass to corner four. Corner four will reseeve the ball and hold it. Corner one man will run up and set a pick on corner two and then corner one and two mand will run out to goal and corner four will pass them the ball and the ressever will take a shot on net. Then we will repeat, except starting on corner two" Everyone else on the team seems to get this right away and has little or no problems executing this drill. But I am so lost. Then when it get to be my turn and I don't know what to do, I get yelled at. How can I help the coach understand that I am trying?

Answer 1

I also have ADHD and have been accused of being lazy for similar reasons. I'd recommend telling your coach about your LD; what do you have to lose? Additionally I would let him know if there is anything that makes it easier for you to understand various drills while he explains them (such as making a quick sketch or something).

Answer 2

I think informing the coach and providing him suggestions that will help you pick up the drill or explanation better will help. I have coached minor hockey for 8 years and one year some parents informed me that their son learns better when the talking is combined with a vuisual aid. Until they told me I just thought he was not paying attention, I adjusted my coaching style to make it more enjoyable for him and less frustrating for both of us.

Answer 3

Tell hgim he is viioating federal law and discriminating againsgt you by refusing to acknowledge and accommodate your disability-

if he disagrees with you-tell him to feel free to talk to the leagues lawyers about would could happen if you sue him..

it sounds as if it is his motivation to understand taht is at issue-not his ability-he needs an attitude adjustment-amny people lack empathy and refuse to understand that you truly have a disability and you can't just make it go away by changing your attitude

Answer 4

Does your coach know you have an LD. If not tell him. You could also get a letter from either your parents, teacher or anyone else who is working with you due to LD explaining what you have problems with.

In the letter get them to suggest ways he might be able to work with you.

I don't have an LD or play lacrosse but with that speech I'm lost.

If you choose not to get a letter from someone else just explain what your problems are and tell him that it is harder for you to work with that many directions.

You could suggest that he only explains things 1 or 2 steps at a time so you can follow what he wants you to do.

Or suggest he assigns you a buddy who is always in your group and reminds you what you need to do.

Answer 5

Why not print out some basic information on your LD and give it to him? I do this with my sons teachers every year. LDonline has some great articles.

In addition to stating what the LD affects it also offers strategies on how to help work with or around the specific LD. So instead of just saying here's my problem it offers solutions so the coach knows HOW to accomodate your needs.

If this is a high school coach or school coach you could also talk to a counselor or school nurse if you are not comfortable talking to him directly.

Answer 6

i had this exact same problem in sports. unfortunately i just gave up.  its very hadr to get someone to understand something they themselves have not experienced.  maybe you could sti down with him befrore or after practice and have him go over it with you one on one.  have him write it out in a very clear chart of the field and very clear symbols of where your supposed to go when, and have him explain it SLOWLY so it has less chance of slipping under the radar, ive found that also while hes talking you should ttry to visualize it in your head . tell him that not everyone learns the same way and you half to meet him have way. by showing ijntiiative doing what i just said.  tell him if he just took the time to explain things to you in a way you understand you would perform much better because you actually understood what to do and youd be amore valuable asseet to the team

Answer 7

Why not have the teacher that is your case manager go with you to talk to your coach?  Your case manager should be very familiar with your abilities as well as your disabilities and should be able to explain, from one professional to another, just how the coach needs to adapt his teaching to your particular needs.  Considering where your LD's are, your coach certainly seems to be hitting them on all cylinders!  He could not teach in a worse way for your LD's!  I am impressed that you have persevered and stuck with the lacrosse team - most kids would not have.