I was enjoying my son's lacrosse game this past weekend on a beautiful sunny Saturday. As so often happens when our kids our playing their games today, a questionable play occurred on the field and the parents from both teams joined in and started yelling back and forth, putting the focus on themselves and not the children or the game.
We all have similar experiences that seem to be happening more frequently in youth sports. Whether it is the idea of winning being the only thing that matters or we parents have such boring lives that we insert ourselves and assume more of our children's lives. We had our turn, it is their turn now.
When we were growing up playing sports our parents rarely came to the games let alone cheering at the practices. Of course, we want to support them and be there for them but when our actions overshadow our child well perhaps there is a better way.
We have a responsibility as coaches and parents to teach the players the right way to play the game. The game is not about winning, but playing with passion and enjoyment. Simply playing your best. If that results in winning great, if that results in losing that is fine too.
Some of the plays during the game result in an injury with emotions on both sides running high. I always try to take the perspective that the children belong to all of us, and no one should want to see a child hurt. Yet, we hear comments about how this one is "a wimp" or that they are "faking it" from the adult parents.
Is this the example we want to set? Do we hear the words coming out of our mouths? Perhaps, we should think how we would want people to feel and talk if our child was injured.
When we are on the sidelines we have a responsibility to cheer all the children. You can root for your team or your child, but also be mindful and respectful of the other children and team.
After all, they are all our children.
With Love,
Tom Kaufmann
Coach K
tkaufmanncoaching.com
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