Athletes and their parents
June 28, 2008 @ 10:06 p.m. by Joannaby joanna
I believe the dynamic between parents and their athlete children is definitely interesting. Kids whose parents are coaches tend to know the game extremely well, but it has to be tough to have your parent yelling at you in front of a lot of people and then somehow you have to turn that off at home.
Some kids want their parents to push them, others want to be left alone, some need pushing, others have the aggressiveness inside of them. Tonight at the state softball tournament at TRYC, I saw a mom groan, put her hands to her mouth and spin around after her daughter struck out. She then said, that last pitch is always high. Her daughter heard her and promptly said “shut up.” I laughed, although I’m not really sure what I think about it.
Even though parent-child relationships can definitely be tumultuous, those children often thank their parents years later. I’m not sure if I would be able to love my father still if he’d been like Dwyane Wade’s dad, who made him play late into the evening — like really late! — if he did anything wrong during a game. The goal was to correct the problem and become a better player. Wade’s now an NBA star.
This afternoon I was at the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Museum of World Treasures and the majority of the people inducted thanked their parents. WSU and Kapaun basketball player Angela Buckner thanked her parents, sisters and little brother, Billy. WSU QB Prince McJunkins mentioned his mom. Golfer Natasha Fife followed in her father’s footsteps — he was a golf pro. Randy Smithson introduced his dad, Gene Smithson.
An interesting parent comment for me, though, came from former Heights boys basketball coach Lafayette Norwood — of the 76-77 championship team. He said something I don’t know if any coach will say again (in my pessimistic thinking) — he thanked the parents of his players who told them to keep their son until he did it right. “If they have the same floor at Heights (which they don’t), there will still be sweat stains.” (Most parents now try to protect their kids from coaches.)
So what are your thoughts?
June 30th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I helped coach both basketball and football when my son played, and I was harder on him than any other player, because I knew what he could do. When I was coaching basketball if you were winning and tough on kids parents thought it was okay. Loose a few games and listen to them gripe. As far a yelling at my son on the floor, or on the field, I would always tell another coach to get him out and talk to him. After a little chewing, it is over and not brought up again.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
“knew what he could do” !! that sometimes is the problem, “WE” dont really know . not saying this in your case,(dont know) but many parents “think” there kid can do things he not really capable of on and daily basis just beause they see it once . Generaly “if” a kid Can “make plays” he will.
. Parents will always complain more on a losing team thats just a fact .Ifsomeone iscoaching there own kid its probably personal preference if you want another coach to talk to your kid or not. Me personaly i would get in my kids tail harder than another player because i knew he wouldnt rattle and the messege would come thru clear .it just depends.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
“Coaching” your son has Many factors involved. What is your level of knowledge? What is the level of play? What kind of drive does your son have towards the sport?Are you the Head Coach or an asst ? Age of course as well ? Do you really know why your son is involved? Etc.Alot of parents that coach “think” they know the game they are involved in but just dont. There are so many other factors involved as well.