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Football Coaching - Don't let parents get out of control

Unfortunately, there will be times when some of the parents of your players get a little out of hand no matter how well or badly your team are playing.  This can manifest itself in loud, obnoxious behaviour and is just bad form.



  
It's difficult enough at the best of times and you do have a fine line to tread on training and match days when really your sole concentration should be firmly fixed on the players.  You shouldn't have to be on your toes watching and keeping in check the behaviours of the parents on the sidelines, but sadly you do.  You have a responsibility to the players on your team not to be distracted by "poor home support" or that they put off the opposition.

But, what should you do?  Ignore the problem and hope someone else will sort it out?  No, if you have witnessed or its clear to you that inappropriate behaviour is taking place then something needs to be done about it.  Don't let someone else take charge of the situation, you should nip it in the bud and resolve the problem immediately.

One method that I have found that works particularly well is going over to the offending parent and stating in a firm but reassuring tone that "it isn't fair to our team, our opponents or the officials that you are being so noisy".  This tends to get the right reaction, a "sorry, I just get a bit carried away!" from the offending parent, this is where a simple statement said in cheerful manner like "that's a yellow card this time, next time your off" often diffuses any tension that may have built but the parent is left with a message.

However, if the problem persists then you need to sort it out quickly.  Bad feelings on the sidelines, fester and start to involve others quicker than a bushfire!  Chat with any offending parents after the game and explain clearly that you, the club and the league take unruly behaviour seriously and that you will not stand for such behaviour.

Hopefully, you should have had your parents sign a code of conduct form which provides guideline on what's expected of the parents.  This document is a great tool to get your point across and facilitate any discussions.

 

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