It's a common sound around ballparks and soccer
fields or any venue where youth sports are being played. Moms and Dads
yelling at their kids to "run faster," "pay attention," "pass the ball,"
"shoot it now!"
I
caught myself doing this at my son's roller hockey game the other week
(as both an assistant coach and a sideline dad) and I thought to myself,
"I wonder what he thinks when I yell instructions to him." So I asked
him, "You do know that when I yell instructions to you, I'm not yelling
at you, I'm just trying to help?" He responded, "I know that Dad, but
you could wait and just tell me when I come over to the bench or after
the game." And you know what, he's right.
The only person giving instructions to the players should be the head
coach or the assistant coaches. We often forget (or have never
experienced) what it's like playing in a competitive atmosphere. It's
hard enough running, getting where you're supposed to be and playing
your best, let alone having to listen to three different people yell
three sets of instructions that you're not doing or should do (and
usually never the same things).
Next time you're going to yell something to your child, try yelling,
"Good job, keep up the good work" and leave it at that. Hopefully the
parents around you will follow your lead. I guarantee your child won't
tell you after the game, "Geez Dad/Mom, I missed you yelling
instructions to me during the game."
