1	What Parents Should Not Do
2	Don’t yell out instructions Players view: During the game, I’m trying to concentrate on what the coach says and working on what I’ve been practicing. To do my best you save your instructions and reminders for practice or just before the game.
3	Don’t put down the officials Player’s view: This embarrasses me, and I wonder whether the official is going to be tougher on me because my parents yell. On the field I do not need parental protection. I’m capable of taking care of myself.
4	Don’t yell at me in public. Player’s view: It will 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.
5	Don’t yell at the coach. Player’s view: When you yell about who gets to play what position or how much time, it just stirs things up and takes away from the fun.
6	Don’t put down my teammates. Player’s view: Don’t make put down remarks about any of my teammates who make mistakes. It takes away from our team spirit.
7	Don’t put down the other team. Player’s view: When you do this, you’re not giving us a very good example of sportsmanship, so we get mixed messages about being good sports.
8	Don’t lose your cool. Player’s view: I love to see you excited about the game, but there is 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.
9	Don’t lecture me about mistakes after the game. Player’s view: In the car after the game is 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 the things I did well during the game.
10	Don’t forget how to laugh and have fun. Player’s view: 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.
11	Don’t forget that it’s just a game Player’s view: I’m not going to make a career out of playing sports. I know that I 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.
12	Avoid trying to live vicariously through their children sports activities. Balance your child’s total development needs with sports goals. Reclaim ”decision authority” for the child’s welfare. The child should be allowed to say,” This is my decision”. Monitor your own motivation by asking,” How will this affect my child and “am I doing this for myself or for my child?” Questions for parents to ask themselves: What is my background or agenda in this sport? What are the child’s physical limitations? What are the potential physical or emotional risks? Are the financial requirements unreasonable? Does this affect other important aspects of life? Is this child emotionally ready? What do our friends say about my involvement? Do my emotions get out of control? How does this affect the rest of my family?
13	Teaching sportsmanship skills Cheer for all the children, even those on the other team. Thank the officials. Talk to parents of the other team: they are not the enemy. Be a parent, not a coach: resist the urge to critique. Stay physically active: Sets a positive example.
14	Parents common mistakes and their results. Pushing kids too hard to succeed – adults lose perspective for what youth sports are supposed to be :kids having fun, learning life skills, coping with losing while aiming to improve and succeed. Those who are most hurt are kids themselves. Putting too much emphasis on winning – parents are overzealous cheerleaders and overenthusiastic sports experts on game day (even though they are not involved in their child’s practice and development). Losing control of emotions and accosting officials, opponents, and players. Ignoring serious injuries: concussions, overuse/year – round participation (ages 5 to 14/one in three children will be injured/30% of injuries are related to overuse, premature return to competition = permanent damage, weight training - too much too early. Pushing athletes too early = real athlete kicks in in age 13-14. Mistaking a child’s age for their preparedness to compete. Chronological age is not the same as the physiological age /athletes should be grouped by height & weight = undersized kid will not compete against someone who develops early. Kids who are late bloomers should not be counted out.