Your son slides into home plate – easily beating the tag –

but the ump hollers “Out!” Or your daughter the goalie

is looking left when all the action is to her right. You’re

on the sidelines. What should you do or say?

From years of experience as a sports dad, a coach, and a

psychologist, my advice is: always THINK before you act

or speak. Here are 10 rules to remember.

1. CHEER, don’t SNEER! Only positive words should

come out of your mouth during a game. There is simply

no place for negative comments or criticism.

2. WALK before you SQUAWK. If you feel a sudden

urge to yell at the coach or the ref., take a walk and cool

off before you say something that will embarrass you –

or your child.

3. A YELL won’t make the team JELL. Don’t bellow

instructions to your child from the sideline. It’s boorish

and your kid can’t hear a word you’re saying, anyway!

4. Don’t sell them SHORT, be a SPORT. If the opposing

team has played well, give them a pat on the back.

Nothing makes a kid feel more special than when a

parent from the opposing team tells him how well he

played.

5. Don’t point and BLAME when they lose a

GAME. When your child’s

team loses, don’t blame

it on a bad call, a teammate’s error, or

anything else. How will your child learn to accept

responsibility if you don’t?

6. Give ’em a SMILE – not BILE. Kids always respond to

the coach or parent who smiles – not to the adult who

criticizes or scowls. Besides, your child wants to see you

having fun.

7. RAISE with PRAISE. That’s right, the kids will “raise”

their game and their efforts if you praise them. Use any

achievement as an excuse for a compliment. They want

to believe in themselves. And you can help them.

8. For pete’s SAKE, give the ump a BREAK! Remember,

most of the umpires and referees are volunteers

donating their time to your kids. And accept it: “Bad”

calls are part of sports.

9. PARALYSIS by ANALYSIS. Avoid replaying the game

in the family station wagon on the drive home. If your kid brings the game up, fine. But chances are it’s about the last thing he wants to talk about.

10. This I BESEECH, practice what your PREACH. With

too many pro athletes talking trash and misbehaving,

parents have to work extra hard to teach kids fair play.

Make sure your own sportsmanship is flawless. You’re

the most important role models kids have!

– Rick Wolff