I have a couple of things that we do proactively to address this before it becomes a problem.
First, we have a mantra on our team that we try to hold ourselves to “Style and Grace.” If the girls start getting a bit too rowdy, after a hard fought and or are leaving a bench with out picking up, or when we stop to get a bite to eat, those simple words are all that need to be said. This also gets transmitted to the parents via the girls. Amazing how kids can often be roll models for their parents.
Second, whenever the timing is right, and in a slightly humorous tone I will tell my parents that one of the things I like most about HS soccer as opposed to club soccer is the track and fence around the field which keeps the parents off the pitch a bit. I tell this to BOTH my club and HS parents and it works wonders on imparting to them the level of conduct that I want out of my parents.
Third, and completely unplanned, there is a parent that helps me out in the stands. He is always quick with shouts of encouragement to the girls but can get a little over excited himself when the situation is right and when he ever feels like his enthusiasm might be starting to get the better of him, he will be quick to open up a Blow Pop- or maybe its Tootsie Pops? Not sure! Anyway- On occasion he has told me that a particular game was a TWO Blow Pop match and therefore he comes well stocked with Blow Pops, buys the boxes at Sams or other such place. Then if another parent starts to get a bit loose he will turn to them and simply say: “Want a Blow pop?” It slap works wonders.
Another nice side benefit of the Blow Pop dad is that on one or two occasions when I was a bit hot under the collar myself from what I might have thought was a bad call or two, I have hear a single voice or a whole chorus of people rising up behind me in the stands to say: “Hey Coach! Want a Blow Pop?” and it immediately puts it all back in perspective for me down on the sidelines too. It is a standing joke now for many of the parents and players on the team and I am thinking about buying stock in Blow Pops or asking them to be a corporate sponsor.
tk
