Guru's "loudmouth" thread got me to thinking, and there were some posts too that mentioned this so I thought I would throw this out there.

 

As a coach, there aren't many things, if any, more annoying than a parent trying to coach from the stands. ESPECIALLY one who thinks he/she knows everything, when in actuality they know very little to nothing about the game. At least it's a little more tolerable when the parent actually know what they are talking about, but just barely and still very annoying.

 

Our basketball program probably relies more on volunteers to help with the games more so than the average program. Just the other night, I have a parent keeping the book at the scores table. His son does something, can't quite remember what, I think got beat for a lose ball or didn't move his feet on d and got beat at mid court, something like that. Anyway, his dad starts shouting at him, from the scores table no less, "you got to play harder, you got to play better, you got to hustle, you got to blah blah blah"! So what happens? His son is arguing with him at half court during the game, "leave me alone dad, blah blah this and blah blah that"! I can't really blame the kid for this, it's his dad that prompted all of it. I say the same thing, he glances at me, shakes his head and moves on. His dad says it, and a basketball games turns into debate club at half court!

 

I have no problem with parents rooting for their kids and the team from the stands in general, it's what they are supposed to do. Just leave the coaching during the game to the coaches. Talk with him about his on court performance after the game with him all you want.

My 8 year old son broke me of this in Knothole many years ago. I was yelling at him to throw strikes. He stopped put his mitt on ground and yelled at me "be quiet you aren't my coach". I was embarrassed and wanted to go out there and knock his block off at the same time. I've never said another word but encouragement and rarely that from then on with any of my four kids. I usually just went and found myself an isolated spot and watched the game or match. I only gave feedback when they asked.

I once saw a kid talking to his parent on the sideline during the game. Best player on the court. The coach yanked him out of the game. The parent was notorious for telling his son to do things other than what the coach had told him to do.

It's just as annoying to the kid as it is the coach in many cases.

 

Some parents dont seem to understand that they are not only embarrassing themselves, they are embarrassing their child.

It's just as annoying to the kid as it is the coach in many cases.

 

Some parents dont seem to understand that they are not only embarrassing themselves, they are embarrassing their child.

 

 

I used to feel so bad for one kid I saw play while I was in college. His whole family wore a "______'s Dad", "_____'s Mom", even "______'s Sister" shirt to most every game.

 

The Dad would take a seat near the top of the railing in the lower half of the gym… well, except when he would run down to shout encouragement to the kids every time they came onto or left the floor. The yelling during the games was so bad that sometimes I'd honestly move if I was in that section (this is saying something for someone who deals with lawyers as part of their job… because I generally think I have pretty thick skin). And yes, there was coaching from the stands, LOUDLY, even though this team had a great coach.

 

I wanted to :banghead:

My momma always said, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

I like coaching from the sidelines. I know way more than my kids coaches ever did. Want to be annoyed? sit near the mom at the football game explaining what is happening to anybody sitting nearby.

As a parent and coach, it's definitely a fine line.

As a parent, it's hard to watch and not say anything when the coach isn't coaching. For example, my daughter's Kings' team had a fill in coach for a tournament game halfway through the season. I showed up at the end of halftime as my son had a game that day. The 2nd half started and the girls are grouping up big time. I made the comment that the girls needed to spread out, and the parents told me I'm not allowed to say anything as the coach came over at halftime and told the parents to sit there quietly. After a few minutes of watching the girls play and keeping an eye on the coach, I finally yelled it and became that parent coaching from the sideline. The coach stood on the sideline with his back to our game for 95% of the 2nd half watching the game behind us. We scored 2 goals and he had no clue who scored. Our regular coach had been working so hard to get our girls to space better, and they were finally getting it, I wasn't about to let this coach put them back into our bad habit. That was the only game that I was 'that' parent. With my daughter, I simply flex my bicep and she knows she needs to pick it up a notch. It's a simple, discreet gesture that we understand and she looks for it at times.

 

As a coach, I can't stand it when parents coach from the stands. I constantly tell my kids to not listen to anyone except the coaches during the games. They come out in full force during tournaments.

Nothing worse than a parent telling a kid to do the opposite of what he's coached to do.

 

Except the parents yelling that this team needs to run/pass or in Bball play man/zone more.

 

Or yelling, "tackle him!" (Oh! what a good idea!)

 

Or when the ball goes through a receiver's hands and the entire crowd groans. Poor kid feels bad enough, way to emphasize it!

It's equally tough on parents/kids who have been in a coach/player relationship in the past. I coached my son for many years and when he got to high school, he would constantly look in the stands like he needed further instruction from me. Took a little more than a season for him to stop. I tried to stay as still with no form of instruction, which is extremely difficult at times.

Nothing worse than a parent telling a kid to do the opposite of what he's coached to do.

 

Except the parents yelling that this team needs to run/pass or in Bball play man/zone more.

 

Or yelling, "tackle him!" (Oh! what a good idea!)

 

Or when the ball goes through a receiver's hands and the entire crowd groans. Poor kid feels bad enough, way to emphasize it!

 

So....we should just sit quietly? I will admit...I get totally caught up in the game. I've yelled and groaned. It's a natural reaction. I hate when I see people sitting quietly and with no reaction....it's like they'd rather be watching Swan Lake at the theatre.

So....we should just sit quietly? I will admit...I get totally caught up in the game. I've yelled and groaned. It's a natural reaction. I hate when I see people sitting quietly and with no reaction....it's like they'd rather be watching Swan Lake at the theatre.

 

Not at all.

 

I think most would just appreciate a little thought put in before cheering.

Its a condition known as 'Stadium tourettes syndrome'.

 

Condition is temporary. It will usually clear upon exiting of the venue.

 

Had some this weekend.

I never second guess coaches. I am, however, very vocal with praise or criticism of effort. Turn the ball over, tey a move and fail, miss a layup...I am cool with all of that. Dog it on the field, and I will push them to pick it up. If the coach says nothing when my children are loafing, so be it, but I want work ethic instilled. It is the same way raking leaves and doing homework. However, there is always a hug waiting for them after the game.

Talking about basketball....

 

 

There is nothing more irritating than listening to parents trying to instruct their kids on what they should be doing when the parents have no idea what the play is calling for their kid to do. Being a middle school coach now I know where the kids are supposed to be when they are on the court. When I hear parents trying to tell their kids where they are supposed to be it drives me bonkers. Luckily the kids don't hear them. And don't let our head coach see one of the kids looking into crowd for mom and dad. He says if you want to look at your mom and dad I'll give you a good view of them from our bench. :lol: