We have all see the lists. Here is another one written from the perspective of the old crabby coach you all already know me to be. Please remember that this list has been built over many years and has grown a lot in the last couple years. It is a little tongue in cheek, well…
- Do you dress like an oversized or over age member of the team? Spirit is great, support is nice but over the top in any of these categories is still over the top!
- You don’t have any eligibility left! The coach isn’t going to ask you to pinch hit or come in from the bullpen. Having your “game face” on just looks silly.
- If you are early, you are on time! Every coach I have ever known believes that if you are 15 minutes early you are on time. If you are hitting the parking lot on two wheels at warp speed right at the start of practice you are late. Stuff happens, I know, but never more than once.
- Your coach has a life. Most coaches have real jobs and their own kids and spouses that don’t think listening to their coach-spouse carrying on a conversation about your kid’s role on the team or why you are unhappy. Texts. calls, messages at all hours are just plain rude and rarely solve anything anyway.
- Be positive! Cheer on the whole team, not just your kid. Support the whole team, not just your kid. Praise all the kids, not just your kid. You get the point.
- Be positive, part deaux! If you are a better coach than the coach your kid is playing for, start your own team or volunteer to help or sit there and keep your strategic genius to yourself. This person is dedicating themselves and sacrificing their time to coach this team. Support them or leave the team, no other option is available.
- Practice is not meant to be a spectator sport. Drop your kid off and go about your life. You can get a lot done with the couple of hours that practice is going on and your kid will stop looking to you for support or fear hearing your criticism.
- Carpools are a great idea. See number 7 above! It saves gas and allows the kids a chance to get to know each other better. It also limits the number of kids who have to explain their every mistake on the ride home because their parents didn’t see it.
- Tell your kid you love them and you love to watch them play! Period! After every game and every practice.
To be continued…
