Let’s start with I’m a parent (this can play a decisive role on how things above are perceived).
Therefore, I fully understand and know the impact of every small gesture, word or behavior I take may have on my kids. Not to mention the larger, or repetitive ones.

Parents are very, very important.

Parents have a tremendous impact on a child’s well-being when growing, providing and supporting on every need a child might have or on the difficulties that always come at certain times.

However, when speaking about Football there are a lot of those who completely miss the point of being a “parent”. And this has a direct impact on their own child, on the Team, the Coach, on other child’s parents behavior, etc. 

It’s like a snowball, as soon as we let it role, it can start to be out of our control.

“Would you consider a financial investment if you knew the chances of success were 0,08%?

No, right?”

We don’t need to go far to see parents screaming to the field “shoot”,”run”, or “pass”, or giving instructions about positioning, behaviors to adopt, etc.

Every weekend, at any field, we will see this.

Up until a certain point, it’s ok. Brings energy to the match, kids are active, parents are trying to motivate the team forwards. And, to be honest, the child probably just can hear little or nothing specific, just noise.

As a parent, I can understand they are trying to help.

As a Coach, I have my doubt if it really helps.

Especially when this becomes repetitive and abusive. 

Then there may be 100 people watching the game (or even more) and the child will only hear that voice.

My argument is simple, Football is about emotion, but also about rationality, decision making and effort. 

One thing is for sure: emotion can get lost quite quickly. 

Parents (or fans) are almost exclusively emotional, players and coaches must be more rational to have the right notion of the decisions needed and effort needed, than emotional. 

Don’t take me wrong, emotion (from players) must be there at every duel, or dispute, as we also want our players to feel angry when losing one and eager to show their abilities on the next one.

However, emotions fly very quickly and we cannot have emotions running a Football Match.

I have been in situations where I felt like the parents hold a big responsibility on a determined victory, but I mainly had situations where I felt that even starting with a positive reinforcement it can quickly derive to a more negative ones if things don’t go accordingly. 

Howerver, I had many more cases where I had a player asked for something different (training more certain aspect, more time, in a different position, don’t pass to someone, and many others) to have “a better commute heading home” !!

Therefore, how and where can we as parents have an impact?

Simple.

• Support and Encouragement:
  • Parents should provide emotional support and encouragement, fostering a positive and enjoyable experience for their children in football.
  • Positive reinforcement for effort, improvement, and sportsmanship contributes to a healthy and supportive environment.
• Communication with Coaches:
  • Establish open lines of communication with coaches to stay informed about their child’s progress, challenges, and areas for improvement.
  • Regularly attend parent-coach meetings to discuss the player’s development and address any concerns or questions.
• Balancing Academics and Sports:
  • Emphasize the importance of maintaining a balance between academics and sports. Academics should remain a priority, and parents can support time management and discipline.
• Attendance and Punctuality:
  • Ensure that players attend training sessions, practices, and games regularly and punctually. Consistent attendance fosters commitment and discipline.
• Transportation and Logistics:
  • Assist with transportation to and from training sessions, practices, and games. Ensuring that players can consistently attend events is vital for their development.
• Provide Proper Equipment:
  • Ensure that players have the necessary and appropriate football equipment, including boots, shin guards, and a properly sized kit.
• Nutrition and Hydration:
  • Encourage healthy eating habits and proper hydration to support the physical demands of training and games.
• Financial and Logistical Support:
  • Support the financial aspects of participation, including registration fees, travel expenses, and equipment costs.
  • Be involved in logistical planning for events, ensuring players have what they need for both home and away fixtures.
• Advocate for a Positive Environment:
  • Encourage a positive and respectful atmosphere among parents, promoting good sportsmanship and fair play.
  • Advocate for an environment that emphasizes player development over winning at all costs.
• Attend Matches and Events:
  • Attend matches and events to show support for the team and your child. This involvement reinforces the importance of the player’s efforts.
• Understanding the Development Process:
  • Educate themselves about the youth development process in football, including age-appropriate expectations, skill development, and competition structures.
• Handling Setbacks and Challenges:
  • Teach resilience and the ability to cope with setbacks. Not every game or season will go perfectly, and parents play a crucial role in helping players navigate challenges.
• Respect Coaches and Officials:
  • Model respect for coaches, officials, and opponents. This behavior sets an example for players and contributes to a positive sporting culture.
• Provide a Listening Ear:
  • Be attentive to the player’s experiences, concerns, and aspirations. Offering a listening ear creates an environment where players feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.
• Encourage Lifelong Skills:
  • Emphasize that the skills learned through football, such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience, are valuable for life beyond the sport.
• Avoid Excessive Pressure:
  • Refrain from placing excessive pressure on players to meet unrealistic expectations. Encourage them to enjoy the game and learn at their own pace.
• Advocate for Player’s Well-being:
  • Advocate for the player’s well-being, ensuring that the academy provides a safe and nurturing environment for physical and emotional development.
• Participate in Academy Activities:
  • Be actively involved in academy activities, volunteering for events, and contributing to the community spirit of the academy.
• Encourage Multisport Participation:
  • Support participation in multiple sports, recognizing the benefits of diverse physical activities for overall athletic development.
• Feedback and Reflection:
  • Encourage players to reflect on their performance and provide constructive feedback. This helps players take ownership of their development.

We must all understand that the chances of any of the kids we see on the field to become Professional Footballer is less than 1% (0,08% to be more exact). 

Would you consider a financial investment if you knew the chances of success were 0,08%?

No, right?

This is were emotion (and culture) is so deep rooted in all of us, we love Football. And we should celebrate it and take the opportunity to learn all the amazing things Football (or for this matter any collective Sport) can provide:

• Resilience
• Error Management
• Inclusiveness
• Cultural Awareness
• Team Spirit
• Work Ethic
• Discipline
• Understand competition (i.e losing and winning)
• Commitments and Compromises
• Manage Expectations
• Goal-oriented Vision
• Proactiveness in finding the best solution
• Decision Making
• Etc

An engaging and supportive parent is always an effective partner in this journey, for both his/her child and the player they become on the field, as well as to the Coach to be honest.

And you, who do you want to be?

And you, Coach, who do you have on your side?

Tell me yours experiences!

See you next time.