stop to it,” Fuller suggests. “When the game starts, the coach
is in charge and parents should enjoy pulling for the entire
team, not just their own child.”
LET THE COACH DO THEIR JOB
Coaches sacrifice so much time and energy. Parents can be
supportive of the coach and team without getting in the way.
“It’s OK to drop your kid off at practice and not stay and
watch,” Fuller said. Support the team and help the coach by
organizing fundraisers, providing drinks for the team
or helping at practice, “But make sure you’re
doing it for the whole team, and not to
influence your kid’s playing time.”
When is it appropriate for parents to
intervene? For the most part, parents should
step back and let the coach do their job. But if
they have concerns that league rules are being
broken, for example, it needs to be addressed. Fuller suggests
bringing the issue to the attention of league officials first, and
allow them to handle it.
When the game starts, the coach is in
charge and parents should enjoy pulling for
the entire team, not just their own child.
CHEER FOR THE WHOLE TEAM
Creating an atmosphere of team spirit can
go a long way in encouraging the players and
coaches. It’s rare to hear parents cheering
for all of the players these days, Fuller said.
Making a point to cheer for the entire team
is a great way to model good sportsmanship
to your child, their teammates and the other parents in the
stands. Be careful not to put your own child on a pedestal by
constantly bragging about their accomplishments.
“You can create a great atmosphere by loving your child no
matter what their statistics may say. If they have the Godgiven talent to perform, they will,” Fuller said. “And if not,
they are still your child and will be for the rest of their lives
and yours.”
SHE SUCCESSFULLY
PLAYED THE SAME
PRANK ON HER
MOTHER THREE TIMES
IN A SINGLE DAY AND
REMAINS CONFIDENT
SHE COULD DO IT AGAIN.
C H I L D R E N A M A Z E U S E V E R Y D AY and at
Children’s of Alabama we want to see every child
grow up and live to their fullest potential. That’s why
we recruit, train and retain the most inquiring minds,
the most skilled hands and the most compassionate
hearts in pediatric medicine.
1600 7TH AVENUE SOUTH BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233
(205) 638-9100 ChildrensAL.org
Mark Fuller is a former pitcher
and coach at Auburn University,
with more than 16 years of
experience coaching and
playing baseball, including five
years playing minor league pro
ball. He owns Sports Academy
in East Alabama, where he
lives with his family.
www.potentialmagazine.com
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