I recently heard Bruce Brown, whose title is "Director of Proactive Coaching," give a fascinating talk to both athletes as well as parents. As a teacher and coach for over 30 years in the Seattle area, he always conducted an exit interview with each of the players in his program where he would ask them to list the best and worst experience they had while playing. Both his male and female athletes would consistently say the same thing regarding the negative experience: "The ride home with dad." How many times have fathers--and sometimes mothers--ANALYZED and CRITICIZED every single possession on the long ride home?

 

Then, when someone in the audience asked what would be the BEST thing you can say to your athlete after a game, he recommended saying only these five words: "I LOVE watching you play."

 

What great advice!

I agree....what great advice!

That is the worst thing is the ride home with dad. I have went through it since I can remember and still am. Sometimes the parents are the worst things to be around after a game win or lose.

As a parent, the ride home talk is the biggest battle I face. Sometimes the coach side comes out of me more than the parent side.

As a parent, the ride home talk is the biggest battle I face. Sometimes the coach side comes out of me more than the parent side.

 

Try being the coach of your child. Hard call and why I contacted 5 or 6 coaches who I respect highly who had coached their child when it began happening to me.

Try being the coach of your child. Hard call and why I contacted 5 or 6 coaches who I respect highly who had coached their child when it began happening to me.

 

Brother, I've been there and it only adds to the problem.

As a parent, the ride home talk is the biggest battle I face. Sometimes the coach side comes out of me more than the parent side.

 

I know what you mean!

 

Try being the coach of your child. Hard call and why I contacted 5 or 6 coaches who I respect highly who had coached their child when it began happening to me.

 

 

And I know what you mean as well!!

 

 

The advice is great, I can only hope I can follow it!!

I have done it a bit and I do understand where everyone is coming from on this.

 

The biggest problem I have with parents are the ones who are constantly trying to play coach from the stands. The ones that want the call to go their way, and absolutely make fools of themselves by doing it.

 

In the Northern Kentucky area especially it is a big topic of discussion. I will be addressing it in the next couple of weeks on my radio show.

 

Parents: Let the kids play. You had your time, or maybe not, but this is their time. Let them learn and improve on your own. I'm sure if you played, that you would want the same from your parents.

Try being the coach of your child. Hard call and why I contacted 5 or 6 coaches who I respect highly who had coached their child when it began happening to me.

 

 

I've done some coaching and some officiating but by far the most difficult task is giving instruction to my own 6 yr old daughter. She is truly a gift from God and part of her blessing is to teach her father patience.

I recently heard Bruce Brown, whose title is "Director of Proactive Coaching," give a fascinating talk to both athletes as well as parents. As a teacher and coach for over 30 years in the Seattle area, he always conducted an exit interview with each of the players in his program where he would ask them to list the best and worst experience they had while playing. Both his male and female athletes would consistently say the same thing regarding the negative experience: "The ride home with dad." How many times have fathers--and sometimes mothers--ANALYZED and CRITICIZED every single possession on the long ride home?

 

Then, when someone in the audience asked what would be the BEST thing you can say to your athlete after a game, he recommended saying only these five words: "I LOVE watching you play."

 

What great advice!

What a great post! And even better, some great advice. From a personal standpoint, some I think i need to heed myself. Our daughters must truly love us to put up with us!

I've done some coaching and some officiating but by far the most difficult task is giving instruction to my own 6 yr old daughter. She is truly a gift from God and part of her blessing is to teach her father patience.

 

Amen!