So judging part of this weekend's State Championship archery tournament I was actually appalled at some of the things I heard. Don't get me wrong, for the most part archery parents are phenomenal in the job they're doing with their kids. But there are a few I really think need to watch off-site on a closed circuit feed.

"If you don't win this, you aren't going to Disneyland."

"Goddamnit, I spent $1,000 on a new bow why do her scores still suck?"

"I've got $50 right here, I'm going to file a protest and end this right now!"

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
"Goddamnit, I spent $1,000 on a new bow why do her scores still suck?"

I wonder how much I would have to spend on new SIGs before I didn't suck.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
"Goddamnit, I spent $1,000 on a new bow why do her scores still suck?"

I wonder how much I would have to spend on new SIGs before I didn't suck.

I don't know about you, but in my case I don't think they've printed that much money yet.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
"Goddamnit, I spent $1,000 on a new bow why do her scores still suck?"

I wonder how much I would have to spend on new SIGs before I didn't suck.

If you're ever able to quantify an answer in dollars and cents, please share it with the group. It would save a lot of us from duplicating your research

Whenever I was competing and my parent was watching, she'd say, go out there and do the best you can do.

Whatever I did WAS the best I could do, because my mom was watching me.

Then I'd pack up and we'd go home for supper.

Poor kids today, driven by parents who couldn't do it, so are trying to make their kids do it instead.

tac

quote:

Originally posted by tacfoley:
Poor kids today, driven by parents who couldn't do it, so are trying to make their kids do it instead.

Not just that, but they would throw a gunny sack full of kittens into a river just to prevent their larvae from failing, not knowing that failure is one of the most important lessons of life.

I'm old, so I remember when one of the goals of juvenile athletics was to teach sportsmanship.

When I lived in New Jersey years ago we had a soccer field next to my firehouse. We would sit outside on the apron in front of our equipment on nice days.
Most of the kids that played soccer were young I would say between 5 and 10 years old. We could hear the parents yelling at the kids , referees and coaches all the time. I could not believe what was conning out of their mouths. I friend of mine was a referee and would kick parents off the field all the time.

Sad part is the parents who act badly do not understand the damage they are doing until it is too late....

I have 2 nephews that are both into baseball:

Brother Son - Get yelled at and belittled constantly by my brother who was not a good ball player and as a result stresses out every game and at bat.


Sister Son - Has a Dad who used to pitch in college and never made it to the show due to injury but he encourages his son to have fun. His son is a spaz and a goofball but is a good player and has fun doing it.

Guess which kid barely speak to their Dad and is already showing signs of rebellion by drinking and sneaking around?

Back in the early 80's I helped coach my son's T-ball team. The "head" coach (still friends today) wanted the kids to learn to play and "enjoy" the game. Some of the other coaches were coaching "world series" types of games. If you don't win why show up type of stuff. Glad we didn't get on their team.

Parents like that should be ejected from the game and banned from watching anymore.

I ref scholastic sports. Player A throws down his gear and shoves opposing Player B. It's clear he's instigating a fight. Player B mouths off some unpleasantries. They get up in each others' grills.

As soon as they started doing this, I ran up to them and separated them before they started going to blows. I ejected Player A and sent Player B to serve a penalty.

No one argued that the players were escalating towards a fight. Some of the dads felt I pushed one or both of the players apart too hard. Both players were at least as big as I am, so it's not as if I manhandled them. Some dads lodged a complaint against me. Some of them subtly threatened me as I exited the field after the game.

It's telling; I didn't hear any complaints from the moms, b/c few mothers want to see their sons get into fights. Some of the dads IMO were vicariously living their macho jock selves through their sons and quietly welcomed the escalation.

So yeah... parents...

Years ago I umped Little League baseball. Never had any trouble with the parents until one day I looked up and here came somebody's mama onto the field. I did not give time to get started. I turned my back to her and signaled to coach to come here now! I told him to either "get her or his off team the field." He had to pick her and carry her off.

Parents are the absolute worst thing about kid sports. I don't miss listening to parents piss and moan at sporting events, at all. Everything from why isn't my kid playing to the coach is an idiot, and then right into the referees and umpires. Then of course the fools that want to berate the kids. Ugh. I will NOT be a kid sports grandparent.

quote:

Originally posted by 71 TRUCK:
I friend of mine was a referee and would kick parents off the field all the time.

Unfortunately, I was one of those parents.

I would stalk the sidelines offering what I thought was encouragement. I was stunned when the ref came over and ejected me from the field.

At least I can say I learned my lesson. From then on, I sat with the other parents and kept my mouth shut.

Been umpiring baseball and basketball, as well as coaching for the past several years. Probably heard and seen a lot of crap. Even had a friend of one kids dad offer me money to put a kid in. I told him I would call the police. At first when I clearly heard comments damaging to kids, I didn't do anything. I felt shameful. Then I got fed up with it. Started standing up for the kids, trying to talk to parents to help them understand how kids might feel. Some times it worked, other times I had to eject parents. Been told mind my own business several times, etc.. No kid should have to take verbal abuse or threats.

It is shocking when you first encounter this sort of thing.

I went through all that with our four kids. The last one was the best athlete, but we never put pressure on him and therefore he always enjoyed sports.

We remember when he played midget football.
A play started and the refs threw the flags, but did not blow it dead. A pass was thrown and intercepted and the offensive players did not try to tackle the guy who caught it, because they saw the flags. A td was scored. That team won because of that TD. The parents of the team who lost cornered the refs and were going to beat them up. Some of us other parents stepped in and escorted the refs out.
What values are you teaching your kids?