Techniques to Stay Cool/Calm on the Sideline

[Anonymous]

Any advice? DD's first game ever is tomorrow and I need some real life advice to not go crazy/overboard on the sideline because I know I would without making a concisious effort. Yes I know I'm 'living through my child' so to speak but that's something to be address longterm... I need help to start on the right path tomorrow!!! thx~

[Anonymous]

don't go if you have the potential to be that parent and don't talk about it after the game, let them bring it up

[Anonymous]

Bring a book. Read it. Look up when other people near you get loud in an excited way and yell something vaguely excited too. Then go back to reading.

[Anonymous]

don't get sucked in with the parents that overanalyze every.single.play and that grunt and groan for each mistake ... sit as much by yourself as you can

it also depends how much you know about the game ... I can't stand to be near parents that spew nonsense the entire time

[Anonymous]

As a parent of 2 kids active in sports, one in middle school, I can assure you that yelling from the sidelines will not have a positive outcome on your child's performance. Just remind yourself of that during the game. Why be obnoxious if nothing good is going to come of it?

[Anonymous]

Just keep your mouth shut.

[Anonymous]

Do you know the other parents well? If not, it's a good opportunity to introduce yourself and chat with anyone who seems friendly. You will be less likely to get too caught up in the game if you are making small talk.

I applaud you for knowing that you have this tendency and taking steps to combat it. If chatting isn't an option, then try deep breathing. Also, don't just focus on your kid or how the team is doing. Spend some time observing different kids on your team and the opposing one, and note what things they are good at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of 2 kids active in sports, one in middle school, I can assure you that yelling from the sidelines will not have a positive outcome on your child's performance. Just remind yourself of that during the game. Why be obnoxious if nothing good is going to come of it?

even the 'positive' yelling?

[Anonymous]

As a former D2 player and former coach (and now just a parent), I can promise you that WHATEVER you yell just makes you look dumb and annoying. Kids don't get pumped up by parents yelling. They get pumped up by their coach and their teammates. And worse, if you don't understand the game, and you yell stupid advice, you are a total embarrassment to your kid. Have some self-control. For myself, of course I *want* to yell. Instead, I whisper to myself or bite my lips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a former D2 player and former coach (and now just a parent), I can promise you that WHATEVER you yell just makes you look dumb and annoying. Kids don't get pumped up by parents yelling. They get pumped up by their coach and their teammates. And worse, if you don't understand the game, and you yell stupid advice, you are a total embarrassment to your kid. Have some self-control. For myself, of course I *want* to yell. Instead, I whisper to myself or bite my lips.

to you maybe. it's ridiculouos if parents can't even loudly cheer on their own kdis without being judged.

[Anonymous]

Therapy.

[Anonymous]

Do not sit next to the parent that screams.

Don't follow the game too closely, like who played how much time, who scored, who made errors.

Only clap, don't say anything... no "good job" "run", etc. only clap.

Clap when the other team makes a good play.

After the game spend 30 minutes NOT talking about the game, then you can say, "did you have fun" "I enjoyed the game" "I like spending time with you" "I like to see you with your friends"... nothing else... if your child asks, did I play well say or we played terrible you can say, "i am not a coach, i don't know, looked good to me" ... something like that.

About the refs... don't say anything if somebody makes a comment I say, "refs make mistake too, no biggie"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of 2 kids active in sports, one in middle school, I can assure you that yelling from the sidelines will not have a positive outcome on your child's performance. Just remind yourself of that during the game. Why be obnoxious if nothing good is going to come of it?

even the 'positive' yelling?

I think positive cheering is fine. I mean who doesnt cheer during a sporting event and multiply it when you know you are watching your own kid. I have a learned to bite my lip over the years and not yell instructions, make my own calls, or call out the ref for bad calls . My cheering is limited to "Win the ball back" and "Good Job" after a good play and some clapping/cheering during a goal or almost goal (or score). You are there to enjoy the game, I disregard those comments of people telling you to be a mute because it is supposed to be fun. All of this within reason of course. And I do agree to not analyze the game afterward. Give you kid some congrats for playing hard (hopefullyt they did) and that you enjoyed the game. I usually leave it at that. After a loss, my kid is usually silent then back to normal after a bit. After a win he talks about the scores and the "could you believe that" comments". My feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a former D2 player and former coach (and now just a parent), I can promise you that WHATEVER you yell just makes you look dumb and annoying. Kids don't get pumped up by parents yelling. They get pumped up by their coach and their teammates. And worse, if you don't understand the game, and you yell stupid advice, you are a total embarrassment to your kid. Have some self-control. For myself, of course I *want* to yell. Instead, I whisper to myself or bite my lips.

to you maybe. it's ridiculouos if parents can't even loudly cheer on their own kdis without being judged.

why do you need to cheer loudly? just clap... relax, it was not really that great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a former D2 player and former coach (and now just a parent), I can promise you that WHATEVER you yell just makes you look dumb and annoying. Kids don't get pumped up by parents yelling. They get pumped up by their coach and their teammates. And worse, if you don't understand the game, and you yell stupid advice, you are a total embarrassment to your kid. Have some self-control. For myself, of course I *want* to yell. Instead, I whisper to myself or bite my lips.

to you maybe. it's ridiculouos if parents can't even loudly cheer on their own kdis without being judged.

why do you need to cheer loudly? just clap... relax, it was not really that great.

Agreed. Clapping makes sense (and when the other team does well too). And sheesh, not only for your own kid. I have lost so much respect for certain parents on my kid's team after hearing what they yell at games and how they make fools of themselves.