Please Let the Coach, Coach

The post by Allistair McCaw

A kind reminder to all sports parents out there: “Please let the coach, coach.”

Allistair McCaw

One of the topics I touch on in my seminars for parents is about the importance of there only being one voice when instructions are being handed out.

Parents, when we go to our kids’ school play, do we ‘advise’ from the audience? No, we simply encourage and clap, right? We smile and we easily forgive mistakes. When we go to the doctor with our child, do we advise the medical specialist on what medication to give? No, that’s their expertise and field.

“A study showed that the worst memories and experiences in an athletes childhood was…the ride home after the game.”

So then why does it all of a sudden have to be different when it comes to their sport?
Maybe you played some sport in school, even college, heck even pro, but does that make you a coach?

Parents, please don’t instruct during a game or practice:
Your child is trying their best, trying to concentrate (as you suggested) amid the already added pressures of competing against another kid. Plus, more importantly, they are already under the instructions of what the coach asked of him or her.

A parent yelling out instructions hardly ever helps. More often than not, it confuses the child, adds pressure and goes against the coaches’ instruction, which undermines the player-coach relationship, the player-parent relationship and the parent-coach relationship.

Parent-Coach roles during competition simply explained:

Parent role: Encourage, support, clap.

Coach role: Motivate, support & coach.

One more thing, stop talking about it in the car too. A study showed that the worst memories and experiences in an athletes childhood was…the ride home after the game.

Help us to reach more tennis parents, players, and coaches. Share the post and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Thank you.

tennisconsult