How to Be a Good Sports Parent - From Their Coach.

Parents - We all want our child to be successful in the things they do.  Are you actions helping or hurting your child?  How to be a good basketball parent and help your child be successful.

I coach basketball, several teams, several age levels.  I love kids and basketball.  I do not love parents.  Every practice, every game, I am approached by at least one over-zealous parent who just wants me to know that "Little Johnny" is much better at the game than "Little Jimmy".  The parent will go on to inform me how good Little Johnny is at some skill.  They inform me that Johnny is not getting enough playing time, or he isn't playing the right position because on his last team he was the Point Guard.  His former coach had him do something different.

When your child is on a team, you have some responsibilities which will help them achieve their best level.
Here is a quick guide to help your child succeed without driving the coach crazy.

Parent Responsibilities:

Make sure your child is prepared and attends each practice and game.

If your child signs up for a team, make sure you are able to get your child to the practices and games scheduled with all the required equipment.  It is disruptive to the entire team if kids are missing from practices and games.  If your child plays Point Guard, the entire team is challenged to practice if your child doesn't show up for practices and games.  Make sure they have their uniform, their shoes, their water bottle, whatever else they require.

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Teach your child to respect the coach.  

If you child is bringing up concerns over playing time or other team issues, please tell your child to talk to "The Coach" about their concerns.  I see it as taking personal responsibility when a kid comes to me and says, "How do I get more playing time?"  I see it as annoying when parents attempt to tell how to play their child.

Don't bash your child's coach in the car or at home, when you are traveling to and from the game.  Don't teach your child the referees were bad.  A child can only improve their own skills, they have no power over the coach or the referees, so,  please teach your child to focus on what they can control.  Their Own Skills.  That is it, that is all they can change, and that is where they should put their energy.

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Do not coach from the stands.

Do not yell from the stands, "Get the Ball", or any other coaching advice.  Clap, cheer, and encourage, but please don't tell your child what to do on the court, that is my job.  Your direction may interfere with my game plan.  Please sit back enjoy the game, clap, yell, have fun, but don't tell your child how to play the game.

Teach your kid how to be a good sport.

Teach your child every game, whether you win or loose is a learning experience.  Teach them to learn something from each game.  What did they do the best, what could have been done better?  Every game and practice is a chance to improve skills.  Teach Johnny to hold his head high after a win or a loss, to shake hands with the other players and act respectful.

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Remember all the things a coach has to take into consideration before a game.

There are many things I take into consideration when I decide who is going to play and what position they are going to play.  What is the athletic and skill level of a child?  I also have to consider the other kids on the team and what their skill levels are.  Who is the best ball handler?  Who is fast?  Who can play forward, who's good on defense.  Sometimes where I play you child also has to do with the other kids I have available.  In rare cases I have not played a child because their parents were just to hard to deal with.

If you do have concerns regarding the coaching or how your child is playing.  Please approach me at a decent time.  Call me or wait until the children aren't standing around when you would like to discuss your child's skills and what they should work on.

Parents if you align yourself with your child's coach, it can only help them be successful.

The worst parent behavior I have ever seen?  When I was in high-school I was an assistant coach for 4th Grade girls.  During the game a young lady took an elbow to the nose.  (Basketball can be a rough sport)  The girl was fine, but both mother's were escorted out of the gym after they engage in a full fledged wrestling match on the gym floor.  It was entertaining, but didn't help anyone become a better basketball player.

Please add your bad parent experiences in the comments for laughs!

@missk

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