Call it the Tiger Woods syndrome, although I’m sure it pre-dates the golf prodigy by many years. A father hardly can look at his two, three, four year old boy swatting at a golf ball, kicking a football, or showing any sort of promise whatsoever without daydreaming of the day that his son will hoist a championship trophy over his head and be carried off the field by his teammates in a victory celebration unlike any other in the annals of sports.
Whether or not you should coach is a thorny issue. For one thing, a passing knowledge of the game is required. I’ve coached baseball, basketball, and football in my son’s short athletic career. If he ever wants to play soccer, I’m out. I don’t know the basics of the game, so I have precious little to offer as a coach. I can, however, be the most dedicated and appreciative dad in the stands.
Another factor to consider is your son’s personality and temperament. I coached every sport my son participated in for the first two years. I found that he is far more likely to whine and complain when I’m on the field with him than when I am not. He needed some space to grow and be away from dad, so I stepped back and let him play his third season without any official involvement from dad. Though, of course, I was always on the sidelines offering my support, encouragement, and more than a few ‘unofficial’ words of coaching.
Whether or not you decide to coach, one thing is clear. No matter how busy you are, no matter how much you think you’re needed at work or Rotary or wherever, your son needs you at his games more, either as a coach or a spectator cheering him on.
I agree. Being there as a parent would also mean supporting our children on thier extra curricular activities. Because it is through these activities our children can show a different side of himself.
[…] week, one of the articles on Your Parenting Info, To Coach or Not to Coach, discussed the importance of being involved in sporting events with your children. The conclusion […]