Why shouting "Shoot!" from the sideline can undo a week of practice, and how to cheer instead.
Imagine you’re the coach. All week at practice you work with your striker on decisions: when to turn and take on a defender, when to release the ball, when to shoot from the top of the box. With practice, they start to understand the different situations, but it takes time before they feel comfortable making those calls.
On game day, instead of shouting instructions that give away the answer, you ask questions to help players decide under pressure. Then, in a big moment, a parent’s well-meant enthusiasm steers the player’s choice.
Picture it: the game is tied with a minute left and your striker has the ball. A parent yells, “Shoot! Shoot!” Caught up in the moment, the striker takes an off-balance shot and misses the chance to pass to a teammate in a better spot.
Parents, we’re grateful for your support. But players have to learn to make decisions on their own. When we steer their choices too much, it slows their growth. And hearing several voices of authority at once is confusing.
Let’s build harmony on the team together. Cheer for your player and the team, and leave the tactical instructions to the coaches during games. That lets players grow their decision-making naturally.
Thank you for being part of your player’s growth, and the growth of the game.