The term “that parent” typically has negative connotations. Here’s how to make it a positive title on the day of the game.

1. Get your child there on time

When the volunteer coach is willing to show up early for the youth football game so the team can go over plays, fine-tune a few things, and take care of any other details that will enhance the game experience, make sure your child is there to be part of that process.

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2.  Be positive

Regardless of how the players are playing or the team is performing, remain positive on the sideline. There’s nothing worse than hearing another youth football parent complain about every move the coach makes, how their own child is not playing up to expectations, or about how the team as a whole is performing. And never, ever, be critical of another child.

3.  Let the coach do the coaching

It’s hard enough for youth football players to know what their coach wants them to do. It becomes even more difficult if a parent is shouting out instructions from the sideline. Even if the parent doing the shouting is saying the correct thing, it’s one more “voice” that will probably confuse the players if it’s not the one they are used to hearing … and the only one they should be listening to.

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4.  Keep to yourself at halftime

It’s OK to socialize with whomever you want at halftime, as long as it’s not with your child who is playing the game. Coaches usually have important things to discuss at the half, and if there’s not a locker room to escape to, it’s even more critical that parents don’t become a distraction.

5.  Celebrate the game

Win or lose, we have a youth football parent who, after every game, gathers a handful of willing parents and forms a high-five tunnel that the entire team runs through. No matter the final score, it’s this opportunity that the players look forward to the most. Now, that parent even includes the players on the other team, too.

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Follow these tips to help make being “that parent” the way to be.

Jon Buzby has been involved in and writing about youth sports for the past 30 years, originally as a coach and board member with his now-adult son and most recently "just as a dad" with his 8- and 10-year-old sons. Jon is an award-winning writer and his latest book, “Coaching Kids Made Easier,” is available on Amazon. Send comments or future blog topics you'd like to see to JonBuzby@hotmail.com and follow him @YouthSportsBuzz on Twitter