5 Mistakes Parents in Youth Sports Make
Posted by Byron Rausenberger on Mon, Nov 15, 2010 @ 09:06 AM
Complain about Playing Time
When parents in youth sports complain about playing time, they are setting a bad example for their child. They are teaching their child that in order to get what they want, they should complain. Parents should deal with this issue in a productive manner. First, set up a meeting with the coach. Do not attack the coach. This will put the coach on the defensive and prevent open communication. Instead, ask the coach what their child can do to EARN more playing time. This will teach the child an invaluable lesson. Don't sit around and complain about something. Find out what steps have to be take to earn what they want. In addition, ask the coach to keep you up to date on their child's progress. A written player evaluation is a great way to do this.
Try to Coach from Sideline
Coaching from the sideline is bad for 2 reasons. 1. What a parent says may be opposite from what the coach is trying to teach the players. The coach may be trying to teach the players to remain calm and composed when near the goal. If your child receives the ball near the goal, and the parent starts yelling frantically "Fire It," you are confusing the child. Do they stay calm and composed or become frantic and shoot the ball immediately? 2. When you yell from the sideline, you are distracting the child from focusing on the play. In addition, if the child becomes accustomed to hearing their parents suggestions from the sideline, they will start waiting for the parent to tell them what to do in every scenario. This will really impede their development in the sport.
Putting Pressure on their Child
The top athletes in every sport can tell you that in order to play at the top of their game, they have to have 100% of their attention on the task at hand. External pressures like, playing poorly and losing, severely prevent athletes from focusing 100% of their effort on the sport. The truth is that parents significantly reduce their child's chances of becoming a professional athlete when they provide outside pressures that will distract them from being in the present moment when playing the sport.
Excessive Cheering
Excessive cheerleading does not help a child play well. It distracts the child from focusing on the game.
Complain about a Ref
When parents in youth sports complain about the ref, they are really only hurting their child. They are teaching their child that their problems in the game, as well as in life, are because of someone else. One of the biggest benefit of sports is to teach children to accept the current circumstances and find a way to overcome obstacles to succeed. It is important that parents do not take this valuable life lesson away from their children.