DEAR ABBY: I'm a 26-year-old former college soccer player, now coaching a girls' high school team in California. This is my first coaching job, and for some reason, some of the girls on the team are flirting with me and being very suggestive.
When a girl gives me "that look," I am both troubled and excited at the same time. I want to maintain my professional coaching relationship, but it's becoming very difficult. Do you or any of your readers have any suggestions? I have heard about coaches becoming involved with the athletes. -- TEMPTED
DEAR TEMPTED: If I were you, I'd keep one eye on the ball, the other on the scoreboard, and if one of these young women makes another pass, tell her she's out of bounds and if it happens again, she'll be benched and reported to the principal.
If the temptation is too much for you, I recommend a cold shower and reassignment to a boys' soccer team. These girls are minors, and you are in a position of trust and authority. Involvement with a student could destroy the rest of your professional life.