Parents in Sports

We parents invest money, time, and emotion into youth sports programs including BSSEF's.  The National Association for Sport and Physical Education offers the following suggestions on how we can best channel our involvement for the greatest effect:

1. Let the coaches do the coaching for all team members.
2. Support the program: Volunteer to assist the team outside of coaching.
3. Be your child’s best fan: Positively support your child unconditionally. Acknowledge his or her effort, support of team members, following instruction from coaches, etc.
4. Support and root for all team members: Foster teamwork.
5. Do not bribe or offer incentives. Orient them to the enjoyment of participating and responsibility to the team.
6. Encourage your child to talk with the coaches: If your child is having difficulties in practice or games or can’t make a practice, encourage him or her to speak directly to the coaches.
7. Understand and display appropriate game behavior (e.g., watch; make positive remarks; do not berate pla yers, officials, or coaches): Remember, your child’s self-esteem and game performance is at stake. Be supportive.
8. Monitor your child’s stress level at home: Keep an eye on the player to make sure you are helping your child effectively handle the stress from the various activities in life.
9. Monitor eating and sleeping habits: Be sure your child is eating the proper foods and getting adequate rest.
10. Help your child keep his or her priorities straight: Help your child maintain a balance among schoolwork, family responsibilities, chores, and free time.
11. Keep sport in its proper perspective: Sport should be fun for you and your child. Highly skilled children and their parents must be especially careful to maintain a balanced view.
12. If your child’s performance produces strong emotions in you, maintain a calm demeanor. Your relationship with your child remains long after competitive sport days are over. Keep your goals and needs separate from your child’s experience.
13. Reality test: If your child has come off the field when their team has lost, but has played their best, help them to see this as a “win.” Remind your child to focus on “process” and not only “results.” Fun and satisfaction should be derived from “striving to win” and playing well and hard.
14. Have fun.