Nowhere else in life will parents be able to make the demands they sometimes make of coaches.
Parents always want what’s best for their children. However, can parents go too far? My experience–as a player and as a coach–says that sports can stretch those boundaries.
During my time as an athlete, parents knew where they stood when it came to me and my teammates. Coaches would coach and parents would parent. Each had a unique contribution to make in the quest to develop us as people.
That’s the way it should be, but that’s not always the way it is.
Photo courtesy Magnum Volleyball Club
Today, especially, many parents are way more involved in sports than they should be–seeking to have a say in whey their kids should play, what position they should play, and how they should be treated. While some parents just want their kids to have fun and make friends, other parents want their kids to win and, sometimes, be the star of the team.
The reality today is that coaches are under a microscope, often with hands tied behind their backs. Too many parents complain if they don’t like how a coach is handling their kids.
What are common complaints? “Why isn’t my kid getting enough playing time.” Why isn’t my kid playing this or that position?”‘ “Why aren’t you spending my time developing my kid?”
What causes this behavior? Some parents want their kids to follow in their footsteps. Other parents have aspirations for their kids and want those aspirations to become reality.
But what those parents don’t accept is that some players have what it takes to be great, while others do not. No amount of coaching will change either outcome. Besides, nowhere else in life will parents be able to make demands of those to whom their kids report.
It all adds up to this: parents need to grow up, too.
