The other side
April 18, 2008 @ 11:39 a.m. by Joannaby joanna
I loved lovebball’s comment on the parents vs. coaches threat. I absolutely loved it. You took this discussion to another level and that’s what I am dying for this blog to become. No haters, just good dialogue.
I can totally see your point on how there are coaches who are a bit clueless, who aren’t that passionate about the game, that aren’t in tune with their players. There are coaches that might not need to be out there at all, that they’re actually hurting their kids because they aren’t as involved as they should be.
Great job on the post.
I do believe that I get caught up in the coaches side of it because I do see the hours that so many of them put in, I see the money they spend out of their own pocket, I see the caring they show to the kid who’s coming from a crappy home life and how they’re helping that kid deal with such huge issues outside of sports. Contrast that directly with the parents that I see at games — the ones screaming at kids, dogging the coaches, the ones who feel entitled to their kid getting playing time because they fund-raise for the program. I feel disgust for those parents. There have been years where I dread going to specific schools because I know that I’ll only hear negative comments from the crowd, that I’d see a parent sit directly behind the bench and rip the coach, where I’d see a parent try to coach their kid as they dribble up the floor — the kid is looking into the stands at that parent.
But you’re right, there are the wonderful parents who are putting a whole lot of money into their kids’ activities, who are spending so much time at their games and supporting those kids. They want their children to be nurtured and taught and coached in the right manner. Those expectations are normal.
I guess what I would still suggest is let those coaches coach. Sometimes coaches don’t connect just right with a player, that’s true. But I feel most have good intentions.
Thanks, lovebball for the post. Any others out there?
