The Behaviors That Harm Your Child (Even When You Think You're Helping)

This is a difficult article to write, because the behaviors it describes are almost always motivated by genuine love and a desire to help.

But good intentions do not prevent harm. Here are the behaviors that research shows are most damaging to youth athletes.

Coaching From the Stands

When parents shout technical instructions during games, they create paralysis by analysis. The player tries to process conscious instructions while performing athletic skills that should be automatic. The result: worse performance and more anxiety.

The Post-Game Debrief

The car ride home after a game is one of the most important moments in youth sports parenting. Many parents use it to provide detailed feedback on what their child did wrong. This is almost always counterproductive. Save coaching conversations for neutral moments.

Living Vicariously

Some parents invest so heavily in their child's baseball career that their own emotional wellbeing becomes tied to their child's performance. Children feel this dynamic acutely. It creates enormous pressure and transforms baseball from a source of joy into a source of anxiety.

The Solution

Remember that this is your child's experience, not yours. Your job is to support, not to direct. To love, not to evaluate.