Time and Structure
How Do I Handle Players Who Are Late or Miss Practice?
Rhema Adelaja · National Champion & 4x DUX
Set the rules before the season, in writing, and share the schedule early. Take attendance at the start of every practice. Accept real reasons when families give notice. Apply the same standard to every player, including your best. Talk to a late player before you reach for a penalty.
The answer
- Before the season, cover what happens when a player is late or absent, how to tell you, and which reasons you accept.
- Ask players and parents to agree in writing to attend what they can and to tell you as soon as they cannot.
- Share the full schedule early so families can plan around it.
- Take attendance at the start of every practice and write it down.
- Accept real reasons given in advance, such as illness or a family emergency, with no penalty.
- Apply the same standard to every player, including your best. Favouritism costs you the trust of players and parents.
- Before any penalty, talk to the player. Describe what happened, say how it affects the group and ask what is getting in the way.
For information only. This is general information for student-athletes, not medical, legal, financial or professional advice. Talk to a qualified professional about your own situation. Terms
Rules and amounts change. Check the official source before you act. Last checked: 2 November 2026.