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Don't yell out
instructions. During the game I'm trying to concentrate on what
the coach says and working on what I've been practicing. It's easier for
me to do my best if you save instructions and reminders for practice or
just before the game.
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Don't put down the
officials. This embarrasses me and I sometimes wonder whether
the official is going to be tougher on me because my parents yell.
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Don't yell at me in
public. It will just make things worse because I'll be upset,
embarrassed, or worried that you're going to yell at me the next time I
do something "wrong."
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Don't yell at the
coach. When you yell about who gets to play what position, it
just stirs things up and takes away from the fun.
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Don't put down my
teammates. Don't make put-down remarks about any of my
teammates who make mistakes. It takes away from our team spirit.
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Don't put down the
other team. When you do this you're not giving us a very good
example of sportsmanship so we get mixed messages about being "good
sports."
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Don't lose your cool.
I love to see you excited about the game, but there's no reason to get
so upset that you lose your temper! It's our game and all the attention
is supposed to be on us.
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Don't lecture me
about mistakes after the game. Those rides home in the car
after the game are not a good time for lectures about how I messed up --
I already feel bad. We can talk later, but please stay calm, and don't
forget to mention things I did well during the game!
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Don't forget how to
laugh and have fun. Sometimes it's hard for me to relax and
have fun during the game when I look over and see you so tense and
worried.
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Don't forget that
it's just a game! Odds are, I'm not going to make a career out
of playing sports. I know I may get upset if we lose, but I also know
that I’m usually feeling better after we go get a pizza. I need to be
reminded sometimes that it’s just a game.
