How parental behavior during sporting events affect young athletes

By Stephen Beech via SWNS

Competitive dads who throw touchline tantrums are having a negative impact on their kids' behavior, warns new research.

They can reduce a young player’s confidence, damage their emotional and physiological well-being and even lead them to quitting sport, according to the findings.

Moms and dads are essential for children’s sports - whether it's as a free taxi service or as the half-time orange supplier.

But, increasingly, concerns are being raised about the behavior of pushy parents watching their children play from the sidelines.

Now an Australian study has confirmed a link between parents’ touchline conduct and the behavior of youngsters they are watching compete.

When parents behaved well – applauding good play, encouraging players, and enjoying the game – their child was more likely to project positive behavior.

But the more a parent behaved poorly – whether being overly critical, second guessing the referee, or screaming abuse – the greater the antisocial behavior of their child.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, assessed the perceptions of 67 young Australian athletes, aged 12 to 17, participating in team-based sports.

The youngsters were asked to report their parents’ positive and negative touchline actions, as well as reflect on their own sporting behavior.

More than two-thirds (69 percent) reported some form of negative behavior from their parents, even if rarely.

Almost a fifth (18 percent) said their parents sometimes or often said bad things about the way they played.

A similar number (17 percent) said their parents "sometimes" to "very often" yelled at the referee during the game after a bad call was made.

Less than a third of the participants (32 percent) reported never seeing any negative behavior from their parents, according to the findings.

Study author Dr. Alyson Crozier, of the University of South Australia, says parents’ actions on the touchline can predict children’s on-field behavior.

She said: “Most parents are role models for their children, with children looking to their parents to learn about acceptable behavior.

"So, it’s natural for them to copy the behaviors they observe.

“In our research, we found that when a player perceives positive support from a parent, the player also reported having positive sports attitudes and behaviors.

"Yet, when a parent engages in antisocial behaviors, their child will more likely behave similarly, potentially as frustration and aggression to their teammates and opponents.

“Encouragingly, most players in this study reported frequent positive parent behaviors, and negative parent behaviors as rare.”

Dr. Crozier says that good sportsmanship is the "cornerstone" of a positive sports experience.

She said: “Children get far more enjoyment from playing sport when a parent is present, encouraging, and supportive.

"Such behaviors also help build a child’s self-esteem, and improve their life skills and well-being.

“Yet poor parent behaviors can reduce a player’s confidence and damage their emotional and physiological well-being.."

Dr. Crozier added: "In some cases, they can even lead to a child withdrawing from a sport altogether.

“Sport is an important part of life in Australia. If we can encourage respect, sportsmanship, and fun, we can ensure that sport continues to be a positive experience for everyone.”

She issued a series of tips for positive parent behavior:

• Be a positive role model for your child – be courteous and respectful to coaches, referees, players, and spectators.
• Avoid shouting instructions – unless you are an official coach, focus on words of encouragement. Don’t "coach the coach."
• Keep comments about your child and others positive – whether you’re at the sporting field, on the car ride home, or at home, don’t bad mouth other players, parents, coaches, or game officials.
• Prioritize having fun – remember, children want to play sport to have fun and socialize. Winning isn’t everything. Have fun yourself, and help your child enjoy sport by creating positive memories.