Sideline Parents, Pushy Or Proud Parent

A Sideline Parent is a parent that is at every practice, scrimage, or game. We all know someone that is a sideline parent or has a sideline parent. My parents are definetly sideline parents. I compete in many tournaments in different areas of martial arts, and can count on one hand how many times my parents have not been there. I am glad my parents take their time and want to be there to watch me win or lose. My parents are pretty good sideline parents, they are not too loud, they stay in their seats (except for the occasional dad video shoot), they do not yell at the refs, and they most certianly do not bring a bullhorn with them.

Not all sideline parents follow the same code of conduct as some of the other parents. Some parents take the sport their child is involved in a little to serious. When a child joins a team they want to have fun, spend time with their teammates, and belong to something outside of their parents.

You can always tell the difference in a Proud Parent and a Pushy Parent. The proud parent is the one that sits on the bleachers, mom has a book, dad has the camera. They watch, they clap, they congratulate. The Pushy Parent is the one that you see right on the sideline. You can hear them yelling directions over the coach. They are pointing out flaws in their child as well as every other child on the team. The congratulations only come if there is a win.

In my oppinion every child that plays a sport no matter what the sport may be, needs some sort of pushing. I also feel that job belongs to the coach once the child steps on the mat.

This goes out to all the Sideline Parents out there. Come to the game, yell, clap, wave your banners, but please stay in the bleachers, leave the coaching to the coach, and whatever you do leave the bullhorn at home.