If you’re a sports parent, you know the feeling: your kid’s out on the field, the score is tight, and suddenly you’re more invested than you ever meant to be. Maybe you’re pacing, shouting, or silently critiquing every ref call. We’ve all been there. The truth? Kids often play better, stay in sports longer, and have more fun when we—the parents—learn to step back. So here’s the dare: try chilling out, laugh a little, and enjoy the game for what it is.
Why Relaxing Helps Your Athlete Thrive
The Positive Coaching Alliance shared a lighthearted video during the pandemic that drove home an important point: pressure from the sidelines doesn’t help, but encouragement does. Studies back it up—kids with calmer, more supportive parents are more likely to perform well and actually stick with sports into their teens. That means your best “coaching move” may not be advice or critique but simply showing up, clapping, and letting them know you love watching them play.
From Overheated to Overjoyed
The video pokes fun at parents who get too intense—suggesting sideline yoga poses, adult coloring books, or even a massage instead of obsessing over every play. Funny, yes, but also a reminder: our presence matters more than our pressure. By keeping our cool, we model resilience, patience, and perspective—skills that matter far more in life than the score of any single game.
Post-Pandemic Gratitude
After months of lockdowns and virtual everything, the simple joy of watching kids run around on a field feels like a gift. Being a sports parent takes energy, patience, and self-control, but there’s never been a better moment to appreciate it. Whether your child scores the winning goal or misses every shot, the real victory is seeing them out there playing, growing, and smiling again.
The Dare: Say Nothing
Here’s your challenge: the next time your child makes a mistake, gets knocked down, or sits the bench, try saying absolutely nothing. Just breathe, cheer when appropriate, and let the coach do their job. You’ll be amazed at how freeing it feels—and your kid will thank you (if not today, then years down the road).
Thanks to Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) for reminding us that sometimes the best way to support our kids is by stepping back and letting them enjoy the game.
Ian Goldberg is the CEO of Signature Media and the Editor of the largest and fastest growing sports parenting newsletter. He’s been recognized as an industry expert by the National Alliance for Youth Sports, the US Olympic Committee’s Truesport, and the Aspen Institute's Project Play. Ian is also a suburban NJ sports dad of two teenage daughters and has over 2,000 hours of volunteer time coaching them (which he calls the most fun form of R&D for his newsletter content). Ian and his team provide players, coaches, parents and program directors with the articles and content they need to have a great sports season. Ian has spent most of his career in digital product development and marketing and got his start at the White House where he worked for the economic advisors to two US Presidents.
