Hot Topic: Parent Sportsmanship Worse Than Ever?

I think that these parents have to stop thinking that their little athletes are going to grow up to be the next Joe DiMaggio or something. Most kids who play youth sports grow up to be plain old "normal" adults with "normal" jobs and lives, and the main point of youth sports is for kids to have fun, get exercise, learn how to function in a group, and learn how to behave in society.

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I could see this trend starting 30 years ago, which is exactly why I didn't go into coaching. When I was playing sports in the 70s most parents let the coaches handle the kids and things on the field, and for the most part coaches back then were fair, although a few always favored their sons over other more talented players. As time went on more and more parents were beginning to act out verbally and physically toward coaches when they thought their sons weren't getting a fair shake. It should also be noted that there appears to be an obvious correlation between the number of spoiled brats and their parents who exhibit this aggressive behavior. In my opinion parents have become too protective of their kids and therefore lose control when they think something isn't going their way. These parents, themselves, were likely spoiled brats back in the 70s, which could explain their tendency to 'act out' aggressively today.

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My husband has been coaching our boys in football and baseball for the past 6 years. The lack of commitment and common sense of the parents has been the biggest obstacle. Parents all think that their kid should be the most played stars of the teams, instead of just allowing the kid to have fun and be part of a team. They don't cheer on for the entire team, just sit in the stands and bitch about how much time their kid is on the field. They overlook any errors that their kids make when they are playing, but loudly complain about other kids mistakes (not even realizing that the parents or family members are within listening range). They also make it clear what they think the coaches are doing wrong. Coaches are not perfect, and there are some that are better than others, and some that should not be out there. Regardless, they are volunteering their time. Many parents drop their kids off at practices and show up 20 minutes late to pick them up. They are not babysitters, and deserve a little more respect than they get from most parents that want to complain instead of do something to help the team, or even spend extra time practicing with their kid so they are better on the field. They also can't be expected to make exceptions for kids that are involved in other activites that interfere with practices or games. That wouldn't be fair to the other kids that are always there, because they made a choice to be.

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I am the mother of a 13 year old girl who plays ice hockey. I view sports as a life lesson....you sign up, you attend practice, you attend games...on time. You work hard you are rewarded, you goof off you ride the pines. As far as the dad getting mad his son had to run laps, that shouldn't be deemed as punishment...warming up is to prevent injury. And parents need to stop living vicariously through their children. I was given great advice when she started playing hockey...ask your kids 2 things when they get off the ice...did you have fun? where do you want to eat? (my daughter actually told me once that when I told her to skate harder it made her want to slow down...I immediately resumed spectating). Our children's lives are their own and whatever sport they choose should be for their enjoyment, not to fulfill some unrealized dream of the parent. Leave the ref's alone, leave the coaches alone and leave your kid alone. Unless something illegal, immoral, or unsafe is happening on the field/gym...just sit back, let the coaches coach, the ref's ref and let your kid play the game. If they win great..if they lose too bad, that's life! Best get used to it at some point.

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