Good sports parents are ones who do things like go to their kids’ games, drive them to practices, and volunteer for their team duties. But GREAT sports parents do more than just chauffeur and pay youth sports costs.

Great sports parents see the true value of the youth sports experience and you will most likely find that they do many, if not all, of these things:

1.  They work at being the parent, not the coach, especially in the car to and from games.

2.  They always encourage their young athletes to have fun as they play.

3.   They cheer for every player on the team.

4.   They look for ways to help the team AND encourage the coach.

5.  They acknowledge their child’s strengths and don’t compare them to other players or siblings.

6.  They let their child learn how to push themselves and refrain from distracting their child from the sidelines or bleachers, telling them how to play.

7.  They encourage their child to have a life outside of sports.

8.  They keep winning in perspective; winning is fun but don’t lose character in the process.

9.  They accept responsibility for their own negative emotions and don’t blame the coach, official or players.

10. They focus on the end game and who they want their child to be after they are done playing sports.

Parents who practice these habits are not only great sports parents, they are making the youth sports experience GREAT for their child.

Janis Meredith is a family life coach who wants to help all parents raise champions. You can find out more at rcfamilies.com