Managing expectations as a parent is a crucial factor in shaping both the relationship with your child and their experience in sport. Being aware that our role as parents shifts over time can help alleviate potential issues along the way.

John Wooden's Pyramid of Success 📌

🎙️ Dr. Dave Collins on the informed art of coaching. ⚖️ Eco design/Cognitive science/Predictive processing 🧠 Shared mental models 📐 Practice design. A sharp conversation on how coaches can choose the right tool at the right time. 🎧podcasts.apple.com/podcast/s… @DCGreyMattersUK

Focus on making progress, not perfection.

Most children don’t play football on a pitch. They play it through noise. “Pass it.” “Get rid.” “Don’t lose it.” “Boot it.” “Kick it long.” “Man on.” “Tackle.” “Run.” “Mark up.” “Stop messing.” “Focus.” All at once, from everywhere. Coach ⇢ Parent ⇢ Sideline. Here’s the uncomfortable part, every voice thinks they’re helping, but when everything is urgent, nothing is clear. When every action is dictated, nothing is learned. So what does the child do? ◍ Stop deciding. ◍ Start reacting. ◍ Play safe. ◍ Get frustrated Not due to lack of ability, but because the environment interferes with their thinking and decision-making in the game. We say we want confident players who make good decisions, then build environments that reward obedience. That’s the contradiction and it doesn’t show up in the short-term. It shows up years later when players stop trying things they haven’t been told to do or worse quit the game. If you stripped the sideline back to encouragement, positivity and freedom. What would your players actually do?