Eleven Behaviors to Avoid When Watching Your Child Play Sports

1. Do not mutter nasty criticisms at other players.  This ignites more parent conflict than any other parent behavior.

2. Do not needle the officials or opposing players in order to distract them and interfere with the game.

3. Do not goad other parents into acting inappropriately, and do not join those who do.

4. Do not argue with or respond to the negative comments of poorly behaving fans, especially opposing fans.

5. Do not make angry, loud or profane comments about coaches, players, officials, or other fans.

6. Do not throw objects of any sort.

7. Do not scold or yell at your child, or any child, about poor play during or after a game.

8. Do not try to communicate with the coach during the game. Let the coach concentrate.

9. Do not yell instructions or try to communcate with your child during a game.  Your instructions may confuse or embarass your child and undermine the coach’s authority.

10. There is a difference between a positive cheer and an ear-piercing screech.

11. Do not become a boorish “rule expert.” Refrain from loudly correcting questionable calls by officials.

Source: “The Encyclopedia of Sports Parenting” by Dan Doyle & Deborah Doermann Burch