Observation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best thing to do is report these trolling posts to the admin wherever they occur

Yes, run to mommy and tattle. This is the way to eliminate all posts you don't like.

Isn't this the way now? Any dissenting opinion or difference of thought is to be squashed. ONE WAY, ONE THOUGHT...... Anything else begets the "R" word.

What's the "R" word?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most clubs have low attrition, boys and girls stay together for many years at the core. Probably a core of 8-9 for each team in each club. Some leave because they move, friends, reaching a plateau, multi sports, school commitments and loss of interest

A very small amount of people are represented in the negative posting. Any reader of this blog should remember that! I would love to post my positive feelings on our club and other clubs I respect - but who would react positively? Not many that’s for sure - because the most positive of us are not posting!

No offense, but I think if you are happy with your club, chances are you are ignoring a lot of what is going on or are ignorant to what is going on. Generally speaking, this area is littered with clubs that overpay directors and underpay coaches, giving you less value (i.e. soccer development) for your money. And since they are knowingly providing less development, they spend their energy finding better players and making business plays for better leagues, partnerships, etc. that will bring in more cash for the EDs and the TDs.

This last post is pretty accurate. It is disappointing how arrogant and incompetent many of the youth clubs and director/coaches are. If the coach/director knows soccer, they are a horrible person or if they are a nice, normal person, they are clueless about soccer (or are young and underpaid and will be switching clubs soon to get a higher paycheck). It’s a lot like the corporate world, which youth sports shouldn’t be. Then comes this time of year when kids and parents are given high pressure sales tactics to commit with a deposit in a timely manner and coaches black ball the kid if it is found out that they are trying out for other squads. It’s insanity and does not help the kid enjoy the sport. I suppose it is a taste of real life for kids, but not really the intent of youth sports. These kids will deal with all this crap when they get older, so can’t we spare them this while they’re young? Aren’t we better than this?

If they were comfortable with the job they were doing and the quality of the Club, they would welcome shopping around. It’s a $3k or more year long commitment. Players should definitely reassess at the end of every season.

We always did. Are they getting what they need? Are they happy? Is there transparency? Personal growth/development? Is the fit still there? Is there room to grow at this Club?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. So what club does your child(ren) play for and what’s positive about it? My kid plays for one of the two constantly trashed on this forum clubs and here are my positive comments: good fields, good logistics, nice kids.

Does that make up for the horrible coaches, bad ethics, and overpriced fees?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best thing to do is report these trolling posts to the admin wherever they occur

Yes, run to mommy and tattle. This is the way to eliminate all posts you don't like.

Isn't this the way now? Any dissenting opinion or difference of thought is to be squashed. ONE WAY, ONE THOUGHT...... Anything else begets the "R" word.

Difference of opinion and honest discussion is welcome. Making up lies, unfounded personal attacks, starting fake rumors is not a difference of opinion. Don’t hide your trolling behavior behind the banner of different opinion

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. So what club does your child(ren) play for and what’s positive about it? My kid plays for one of the two constantly trashed on this forum clubs and here are my positive comments: good fields, good logistics, nice kids.

Does that make up for the horrible coaches, bad ethics, and overpriced fees?

How is it overpriced if there are thousands of kids in this area whose familiies are willingly paying for it? And not just here, but around the country. It's what the market is bearing. Is it diluted and different than when me or you grew up? Certainly. Would my 10-12yo self make any of the A or B teams or even C teams these days, or even the HS teams a few years later? Probably not.

I'm not excited to pay the $ but am fortunate to be able to do so. And will we continue with this 2-3 years down the line? Maybe not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most clubs have low attrition, boys and girls stay together for many years at the core. Probably a core of 8-9 for each team in each club. Some leave because they move, friends, reaching a plateau, multi sports, school commitments and loss of interest

A very small amount of people are represented in the negative posting. Any reader of this blog should remember that! I would love to post my positive feelings on our club and other clubs I respect - but who would react positively? Not many that’s for sure - because the most positive of us are not posting!

No offense, but I think if you are happy with your club, chances are you are ignoring a lot of what is going on or are ignorant to what is going on. Generally speaking, this area is littered with clubs that overpay directors and underpay coaches, giving you less value (i.e. soccer development) for your money. And since they are knowingly providing less development, they spend their energy finding better players and making business plays for better leagues, partnerships, etc. that will bring in more cash for the EDs and the TDs.

This last post is pretty accurate. It is disappointing how arrogant and incompetent many of the youth clubs and director/coaches are. If the coach/director knows soccer, they are a horrible person or if they are a nice, normal person, they are clueless about soccer (or are young and underpaid and will be switching clubs soon to get a higher paycheck). It’s a lot like the corporate world, which youth sports shouldn’t be. Then comes this time of year when kids and parents are given high pressure sales tactics to commit with a deposit in a timely manner and coaches black ball the kid if it is found out that they are trying out for other squads. It’s insanity and does not help the kid enjoy the sport. I suppose it is a taste of real life for kids, but not really the intent of youth sports. These kids will deal with all this crap when they get older, so can’t we spare them this while they’re young? Aren’t we better than this?

If they were comfortable with the job they were doing and the quality of the Club, they would welcome shopping around. It’s a $3k or more year long commitment. Players should definitely reassess at the end of every season.

We always did. Are they getting what they need? Are they happy? Is there transparency? Personal growth/development? Is the fit still there? Is there room to grow at this Club?

Absolutely. If a club is confident they're providing a good product what are they afraid of for families to shop around.

I do think families need to ask questions and not be so backseat when it comes to the program's their kids are involved in. You always hear the stereotype's of how involved parents get at the games with ref's etc, sometimes I wished parents would get as involved and question the things that go on at their own clubs with their directors/coaches/etc. Transparency is absolutely needed.

[Anonymous]

Do you want to get called a sock puppet? Because this post is how you get called a sock puppet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most clubs have low attrition, boys and girls stay together for many years at the core. Probably a core of 8-9 for each team in each club. Some leave because they move, friends, reaching a plateau, multi sports, school commitments and loss of interest

A very small amount of people are represented in the negative posting. Any reader of this blog should remember that! I would love to post my positive feelings on our club and other clubs I respect - but who would react positively? Not many that’s for sure - because the most positive of us are not posting!

No offense, but I think if you are happy with your club, chances are you are ignoring a lot of what is going on or are ignorant to what is going on. Generally speaking, this area is littered with clubs that overpay directors and underpay coaches, giving you less value (i.e. soccer development) for your money. And since they are knowingly providing less development, they spend their energy finding better players and making business plays for better leagues, partnerships, etc. that will bring in more cash for the EDs and the TDs.

This last post is pretty accurate. It is disappointing how arrogant and incompetent many of the youth clubs and director/coaches are. If the coach/director knows soccer, they are a horrible person or if they are a nice, normal person, they are clueless about soccer (or are young and underpaid and will be switching clubs soon to get a higher paycheck). It’s a lot like the corporate world, which youth sports shouldn’t be. Then comes this time of year when kids and parents are given high pressure sales tactics to commit with a deposit in a timely manner and coaches black ball the kid if it is found out that they are trying out for other squads. It’s insanity and does not help the kid enjoy the sport. I suppose it is a taste of real life for kids, but not really the intent of youth sports. These kids will deal with all this crap when they get older, so can’t we spare them this while they’re young? Aren’t we better than this?

If they were comfortable with the job they were doing and the quality of the Club, they would welcome shopping around. It’s a $3k or more year long commitment. Players should definitely reassess at the end of every season.

We always did. Are they getting what they need? Are they happy? Is there transparency? Personal growth/development? Is the fit still there? Is there room to grow at this Club?

Absolutely. If a club is confident they're providing a good product what are they afraid of for families to shop around.

I do think families need to ask questions and not be so backseat when it comes to the program's their kids are involved in. You always hear the stereotype's of how involved parents get at the games with ref's etc, sometimes I wished parents would get as involved and question the things that go on at their own clubs with their directors/coaches/etc. Transparency is absolutely needed.

I don’t know, I think there are plenty of parents that are way over-involved in terms of being in the coach’s ear, talking to the directors, etc. There is a constant swirl of activity because a number of parents are constantly the squeaky wheel, pushing for playing time, pushing for opportunities to play up, pushing to play in certain tournaments, threatening to leave, etc...I have no interest in going to a coach to advocate for my kid, but it seems like that is par for the course....and really lame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most clubs have low attrition, boys and girls stay together for many years at the core. Probably a core of 8-9 for each team in each club. Some leave because they move, friends, reaching a plateau, multi sports, school commitments and loss of interest

A very small amount of people are represented in the negative posting. Any reader of this blog should remember that! I would love to post my positive feelings on our club and other clubs I respect - but who would react positively? Not many that’s for sure - because the most positive of us are not posting!

No offense, but I think if you are happy with your club, chances are you are ignoring a lot of what is going on or are ignorant to what is going on. Generally speaking, this area is littered with clubs that overpay directors and underpay coaches, giving you less value (i.e. soccer development) for your money. And since they are knowingly providing less development, they spend their energy finding better players and making business plays for better leagues, partnerships, etc. that will bring in more cash for the EDs and the TDs.

This last post is pretty accurate. It is disappointing how arrogant and incompetent many of the youth clubs and director/coaches are. If the coach/director knows soccer, they are a horrible person or if they are a nice, normal person, they are clueless about soccer (or are young and underpaid and will be switching clubs soon to get a higher paycheck). It’s a lot like the corporate world, which youth sports shouldn’t be. Then comes this time of year when kids and parents are given high pressure sales tactics to commit with a deposit in a timely manner and coaches black ball the kid if it is found out that they are trying out for other squads. It’s insanity and does not help the kid enjoy the sport. I suppose it is a taste of real life for kids, but not really the intent of youth sports. These kids will deal with all this crap when they get older, so can’t we spare them this while they’re young? Aren’t we better than this?

If they were comfortable with the job they were doing and the quality of the Club, they would welcome shopping around. It’s a $3k or more year long commitment. Players should definitely reassess at the end of every season.

We always did. Are they getting what they need? Are they happy? Is there transparency? Personal growth/development? Is the fit still there? Is there room to grow at this Club?

Absolutely. If a club is confident they're providing a good product what are they afraid of for families to shop around.

I do think families need to ask questions and not be so backseat when it comes to the program's their kids are involved in. You always hear the stereotype's of how involved parents get at the games with ref's etc, sometimes I wished parents would get as involved and question the things that go on at their own clubs with their directors/coaches/etc. Transparency is absolutely needed.

I don’t know, I think there are plenty of parents that are way over-involved in terms of being in the coach’s ear, talking to the directors, etc. There is a constant swirl of activity because a number of parents are constantly the squeaky wheel, pushing for playing time, pushing for opportunities to play up, pushing to play in certain tournaments, threatening to leave, etc...I have no interest in going to a coach to advocate for my kid, but it seems like that is par for the course....and really lame.

The type of behavior you're describing is what I mean when I say parents are over involved and they sometimes don't direct their energy properly. They also a lot of times look at their kids through rose colored glasses.

I'm mainly speaking about if you notice issues about the clubs future ask questions about it and where they're heading etc. Usually you can see strengths and weaknesses from younger age groups to older age groups and vice versa and questions should be asked about why things are the way they are and what they're doing to improve the club as a whole. Not focused just on your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most clubs have low attrition, boys and girls stay together for many years at the core. Probably a core of 8-9 for each team in each club. Some leave because they move, friends, reaching a plateau, multi sports, school commitments and loss of interest

A very small amount of people are represented in the negative posting. Any reader of this blog should remember that! I would love to post my positive feelings on our club and other clubs I respect - but who would react positively? Not many that’s for sure - because the most positive of us are not posting!

No offense, but I think if you are happy with your club, chances are you are ignoring a lot of what is going on or are ignorant to what is going on. Generally speaking, this area is littered with clubs that overpay directors and underpay coaches, giving you less value (i.e. soccer development) for your money. And since they are knowingly providing less development, they spend their energy finding better players and making business plays for better leagues, partnerships, etc. that will bring in more cash for the EDs and the TDs.

This last post is pretty accurate. It is disappointing how arrogant and incompetent many of the youth clubs and director/coaches are. If the coach/director knows soccer, they are a horrible person or if they are a nice, normal person, they are clueless about soccer (or are young and underpaid and will be switching clubs soon to get a higher paycheck). It’s a lot like the corporate world, which youth sports shouldn’t be. Then comes this time of year when kids and parents are given high pressure sales tactics to commit with a deposit in a timely manner and coaches black ball the kid if it is found out that they are trying out for other squads. It’s insanity and does not help the kid enjoy the sport. I suppose it is a taste of real life for kids, but not really the intent of youth sports. These kids will deal with all this crap when they get older, so can’t we spare them this while they’re young? Aren’t we better than this?

If they were comfortable with the job they were doing and the quality of the Club, they would welcome shopping around. It’s a $3k or more year long commitment. Players should definitely reassess at the end of every season.

We always did. Are they getting what they need? Are they happy? Is there transparency? Personal growth/development? Is the fit still there? Is there room to grow at this Club?

Absolutely. If a club is confident they're providing a good product what are they afraid of for families to shop around.

I do think families need to ask questions and not be so backseat when it comes to the program's their kids are involved in. You always hear the stereotype's of how involved parents get at the games with ref's etc, sometimes I wished parents would get as involved and question the things that go on at their own clubs with their directors/coaches/etc. Transparency is absolutely needed.

I don’t know, I think there are plenty of parents that are way over-involved in terms of being in the coach’s ear, talking to the directors, etc. There is a constant swirl of activity because a number of parents are constantly the squeaky wheel, pushing for playing time, pushing for opportunities to play up, pushing to play in certain tournaments, threatening to leave, etc...I have no interest in going to a coach to advocate for my kid, but it seems like that is par for the course....and really lame.

The type of behavior you're describing is what I mean when I say parents are over involved and they sometimes don't direct their energy properly. They also a lot of times look at their kids through rose colored glasses.

I'm mainly speaking about if you notice issues about the clubs future ask questions about it and where they're heading etc. Usually you can see strengths and weaknesses from younger age groups to older age groups and vice versa and questions should be asked about why things are the way they are and what they're doing to improve the club as a whole. Not focused just on your child.

You know how I judge Clubs lately? How many parents are at practice or circling the Coaches/TDs at practice or games. Seriously. Not even joking.

My kids are older. I understand sticking around when your kids are very young for obvious reasons---I'm talking middle school and older.

The quality on the field seems to go up when there is less parental involvement and influence. I sat in my car twice this week and was duly impressed with what I saw and I remarked to my spouse how amazing it was even after practice---not a single parent was near the field or Coach and the kids just walked to the parking lot and got in their cars.

I don't care if parents watch from a far---way out of the way. But the hovering, obnoxious ones. Ugh. It will generally tell you who is running the show and how much appeasement and catering to parents is happening.

A good Coach will tell hoverers like that---to piss off. the field is a sanctuary for players only.

[Anonymous]

I started this thread: ECNL Girls

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most clubs have low attrition, boys and girls stay together for many years at the core. Probably a core of 8-9 for each team in each club. Some leave because they move, friends, reaching a plateau, multi sports, school commitments and loss of interest

A very small amount of people are represented in the negative posting. Any reader of this blog should remember that! I would love to post my positive feelings on our club and other clubs I respect - but who would react positively? Not many that’s for sure - because the most positive of us are not posting!

No offense, but I think if you are happy with your club, chances are you are ignoring a lot of what is going on or are ignorant to what is going on. Generally speaking, this area is littered with clubs that overpay directors and underpay coaches, giving you less value (i.e. soccer development) for your money. And since they are knowingly providing less development, they spend their energy finding better players and making business plays for better leagues, partnerships, etc. that will bring in more cash for the EDs and the TDs.

This last post is pretty accurate. It is disappointing how arrogant and incompetent many of the youth clubs and director/coaches are. If the coach/director knows soccer, they are a horrible person or if they are a nice, normal person, they are clueless about soccer (or are young and underpaid and will be switching clubs soon to get a higher paycheck). It’s a lot like the corporate world, which youth sports shouldn’t be. Then comes this time of year when kids and parents are given high pressure sales tactics to commit with a deposit in a timely manner and coaches black ball the kid if it is found out that they are trying out for other squads. It’s insanity and does not help the kid enjoy the sport. I suppose it is a taste of real life for kids, but not really the intent of youth sports. These kids will deal with all this crap when they get older, so can’t we spare them this while they’re young? Aren’t we better than this?

If they were comfortable with the job they were doing and the quality of the Club, they would welcome shopping around. It’s a $3k or more year long commitment. Players should definitely reassess at the end of every season.

We always did. Are they getting what they need? Are they happy? Is there transparency? Personal growth/development? Is the fit still there? Is there room to grow at this Club?

Absolutely. If a club is confident they're providing a good product what are they afraid of for families to shop around.

I do think families need to ask questions and not be so backseat when it comes to the program's their kids are involved in. You always hear the stereotype's of how involved parents get at the games with ref's etc, sometimes I wished parents would get as involved and question the things that go on at their own clubs with their directors/coaches/etc. Transparency is absolutely needed.

I don’t know, I think there are plenty of parents that are way over-involved in terms of being in the coach’s ear, talking to the directors, etc. There is a constant swirl of activity because a number of parents are constantly the squeaky wheel, pushing for playing time, pushing for opportunities to play up, pushing to play in certain tournaments, threatening to leave, etc...I have no interest in going to a coach to advocate for my kid, but it seems like that is par for the course....and really lame.

The type of behavior you're describing is what I mean when I say parents are over involved and they sometimes don't direct their energy properly. They also a lot of times look at their kids through rose colored glasses.

I'm mainly speaking about if you notice issues about the clubs future ask questions about it and where they're heading etc. Usually you can see strengths and weaknesses from younger age groups to older age groups and vice versa and questions should be asked about why things are the way they are and what they're doing to improve the club as a whole. Not focused just on your child.

You know how I judge Clubs lately? How many parents are at practice or circling the Coaches/TDs at practice or games. Seriously. Not even joking.

My kids are older. I understand sticking around when your kids are very young for obvious reasons---I'm talking middle school and older.

The quality on the field seems to go up when there is less parental involvement and influence. I sat in my car twice this week and was duly impressed with what I saw and I remarked to my spouse how amazing it was even after practice---not a single parent was near the field or Coach and the kids just walked to the parking lot and got in their cars.

I don't care if parents watch from a far---way out of the way. But the hovering, obnoxious ones. Ugh. It will generally tell you who is running the show and how much appeasement and catering to parents is happening.

A good Coach will tell hoverers like that---to piss off. the field is a sanctuary for players only.

I don't think it's as black and white and you make it out to be. I know for myself, and many parents on our team (MS age kids), we enjoy going outside when the weather is nice to chat with other parents and watch our kids play the game they love. They are only young once, and once this time is gone, it's gone and you can't get it back. That being said, we don't "hover" around waiting for the coach or director or whoever. When the practice wraps up, we walk to the cars and meet the kids there or on the way. Agree with you 100% on those parents who are always hounding the coach/directors on the items like you mentioned.

[Anonymous]

I'll contribute nice things about our clubs: The coaches are nice and not a-holes; which is important to us; our kids enjoy their teammates; one set of coaches is much better tactically and developmentally but both sets are the right fit for the personality types of our two kids.

[Anonymous]

My kids are at a small club that's hardly ever mentioned in these boards. I think the training has been excellent and I see kids improve so much over the years. Personality-wise, I like some of the coaches more than the others but I think that they are almost all strong. Overall, very positive experience with coaches, kids, and families.

The disappointing part is that ... kids eventually leave. Even kids who recognize that they have a good thing going will move laterally (or even down) a level to join a club that plays in ECNL or MLS because they think they have a better shot at those teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most clubs have low attrition, boys and girls stay together for many years at the core. Probably a core of 8-9 for each team in each club. Some leave because they move, friends, reaching a plateau, multi sports, school commitments and loss of interest

A very small amount of people are represented in the negative posting. Any reader of this blog should remember that! I would love to post my positive feelings on our club and other clubs I respect - but who would react positively? Not many that’s for sure - because the most positive of us are not posting!

No offense, but I think if you are happy with your club, chances are you are ignoring a lot of what is going on or are ignorant to what is going on. Generally speaking, this area is littered with clubs that overpay directors and underpay coaches, giving you less value (i.e. soccer development) for your money. And since they are knowingly providing less development, they spend their energy finding better players and making business plays for better leagues, partnerships, etc. that will bring in more cash for the EDs and the TDs.

This last post is pretty accurate. It is disappointing how arrogant and incompetent many of the youth clubs and director/coaches are. If the coach/director knows soccer, they are a horrible person or if they are a nice, normal person, they are clueless about soccer (or are young and underpaid and will be switching clubs soon to get a higher paycheck). It’s a lot like the corporate world, which youth sports shouldn’t be. Then comes this time of year when kids and parents are given high pressure sales tactics to commit with a deposit in a timely manner and coaches black ball the kid if it is found out that they are trying out for other squads. It’s insanity and does not help the kid enjoy the sport. I suppose it is a taste of real life for kids, but not really the intent of youth sports. These kids will deal with all this crap when they get older, so can’t we spare them this while they’re young? Aren’t we better than this?

If they were comfortable with the job they were doing and the quality of the Club, they would welcome shopping around. It’s a $3k or more year long commitment. Players should definitely reassess at the end of every season.

We always did. Are they getting what they need? Are they happy? Is there transparency? Personal growth/development? Is the fit still there? Is there room to grow at this Club?

Absolutely. If a club is confident they're providing a good product what are they afraid of for families to shop around.

I do think families need to ask questions and not be so backseat when it comes to the program's their kids are involved in. You always hear the stereotype's of how involved parents get at the games with ref's etc, sometimes I wished parents would get as involved and question the things that go on at their own clubs with their directors/coaches/etc. Transparency is absolutely needed.

I don’t know, I think there are plenty of parents that are way over-involved in terms of being in the coach’s ear, talking to the directors, etc. There is a constant swirl of activity because a number of parents are constantly the squeaky wheel, pushing for playing time, pushing for opportunities to play up, pushing to play in certain tournaments, threatening to leave, etc...I have no interest in going to a coach to advocate for my kid, but it seems like that is par for the course....and really lame.

The type of behavior you're describing is what I mean when I say parents are over involved and they sometimes don't direct their energy properly. They also a lot of times look at their kids through rose colored glasses.

I'm mainly speaking about if you notice issues about the clubs future ask questions about it and where they're heading etc. Usually you can see strengths and weaknesses from younger age groups to older age groups and vice versa and questions should be asked about why things are the way they are and what they're doing to improve the club as a whole. Not focused just on your child.

You know how I judge Clubs lately? How many parents are at practice or circling the Coaches/TDs at practice or games. Seriously. Not even joking.

My kids are older. I understand sticking around when your kids are very young for obvious reasons---I'm talking middle school and older.

The quality on the field seems to go up when there is less parental involvement and influence. I sat in my car twice this week and was duly impressed with what I saw and I remarked to my spouse how amazing it was even after practice---not a single parent was near the field or Coach and the kids just walked to the parking lot and got in their cars.

I don't care if parents watch from a far---way out of the way. But the hovering, obnoxious ones. Ugh. It will generally tell you who is running the show and how much appeasement and catering to parents is happening.

A good Coach will tell hoverers like that---to piss off. the field is a sanctuary for players only.

God, this is so true. The parents hovering at practice are the worst. And I don't understand why. Why are you at practice? Can you not give your kid an hour of time to just be himself and enjoy sports with his/her team? I'd have died if my parents hung around during my training times. Parents, do your kids a solid and go sit in the car. Or better yet, go run an errand or do some of your own exercising to let off some steam.

I wish the coaches at our club would gently nudge the parents to keep them off the field. Alas, they do not and parents hover like flies on crap.