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Ask a coach about playing time without complaining

Practice: Getting the tone right. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

You want to ask your daughter's basketball coach about her playing time. Write an email under 90 words, plain text: state the minutes from your notes in the first sentence as facts, ask exactly one question about what she can work on, and offer to talk at a time the coach chooses. Don't mention other players, don't question the coach's decisions, and don't bring up the angry sideline comments from other parents. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 90 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part instead: "4 sentences, each under 20 words."
  • Opening with feelings. The AI starts with how upset Lily is before the facts. Try: Add: "First sentence: her minutes, 12, 6 and 4, as plain facts."
  • Asking too much. The AI asks why, whether it's fair, and what's changed, all at once. Try: Add: "Ask one question: what can she work on? Let him pick a time to talk."
  • Comparing or complaining. The AI mentions the 7th grader playing more or the favorites talk. Try: Add: "No other players, parents or questions about his decisions."
  • Ignoring where it will be pasted. AI loves bold and headings, which show up as stray ** and # symbols in the email. Try: Name the place and the format: "For the email. Plain text, no bold or headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Leads with facts
  • Asks one question
  • Avoids comparisons
  • Lets the coach choose
  • Sets a word limit

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