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Types of sports dads/moms..

cdnlngld

cdnlngld

Well-Known Member
Feb 24, 2012
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Ames, IA
My oldest started his first season of youth football this week..... and well, I have to say, it has interesting oserving the different flavors of sport parents. What are your favorite/least favorite types of sports parents? What type are you?

I am the wallflower parent. I don't socialize a whole lot with other parents. I tend to be a people watcher. I like to just sit back and observe.

I am also the the dad that has very little sports acumen. I know baseball and track well, but beyond that, I am not much help to my son's football career. I wish I could be more of a help to him, beyond generalizations about work ethic and team dynamics. However, it helps keep me grounded and not become one of those obnoxious parents.

Types I have seen so far:

1. Coaches best buddy. Before the season this guy had never met the coach. It is quite obvious out of the gate that this guy is going to try way to hard to be the coaches best bud..... calling him big guy, and bud and laughing way too hard out of everything the coach says.

2. The coach dad. this guy sits there while the the coach is trying to teach the kids, and constantly yells at his kid, and what he is doing wrong, even though sometimes, it's contrary to what the coach is teaching. This guy is a huge distraction.

3. The social butterfly. this parent already has a gaggle of other parents around them hooked on their every word. This guy/gall seems to know everything about everybody on the team and is an expert about all aspects of the game/team.

4. The mega nerdy guy. This guy has obviously never played a sport in his life. Seems to be very supportive but never really has any practical advise to give to his/her kid. This guy/gal is living somewhat vicariously through there child, and can sometimes get way too excited.

5. The my kid is the best out there guy. Can also be one of the coach dads. This guys kid can do no wrong. This guy likes to brag about how tough his kid is, or how fast etc. some times this guy can be tough on his kid, but doesn't like it when the coach is tough on his kid.
 
My dad was the nerdyish dad. I ran the 5000 in college. I was on lap two when I hear my dad say "C'mon pick it up!" What?! Really?!
 
I'd like to think I'm a bit of all of those. I like to meet the coach, but never kiss up. I have coached, and tend to still do it when they NEED somebody. But would rather watch. I like to be social with other parents to see if they truly are the person I categorize rather than assume I know from observing. But I would much rather sit with my wife than talk to every Mom and Dad the whole game.

But I can be the Dad on the sideline being a bit too competitive. I wish I wasn't this way so much. I'd much rather enjoy the game no matter what happens. Usually I'm encouraging though and not "coaching", unless I'm actually a coach. :wink:

I'm sure my classification of myself is much different than reality, or what somebody would classify me from observing me. I hope not, but it is what it is I guess. More importantly I don't want the kids thinking that I'm unfair or critical, to heck with what parents think.
 
Individual sports all the way. My kid will see you all at the 2026 Olympics in the Table Tennis Pavilion.
 
I'm looking forward to the updated list after the first couple competition dates. That's when the fun categories start coming out of the woodwork.
 
I'm the dad that sits in the stands in front of the well endowed single moms who like to jump up and down when they celebrate. I turn around to high five them, then turn around and try to remember what just happened.
 
Gunnerclone said:
LOL. SO TRUE. Sweet neon trainers dad, did you forget your cell phone belt clip at home today?
Click to expand...

See I think this guy is usually on par with "nerdy" dad, its usually a guy who didn't play or was very bad a sports but in adulthood got in to fitness and working out etc, got in great shape and thinks since they look the part, they must know the part.

I had a run in with one of these guys while coaching little league baseball, there was a dad who fit the description to a T, he looked athletic enough, said the right things when cheering the kids on but one day we needed a dad to help warm up a pitcher. Another coached asked this guy, assumingly because he seemed like he knew/looked like he was doing. He agree's to help out, which was great but as I glance over, I notice that when he is throwing the ball back to the kid warming up that he is throwing right handed while also stepping forward with his right foot . I give him props for lending a helping hand but I couldn't' help but find it funny that a guy who was 6'2 and a ripped out 230ish lbs could barely throw a baseball 50 feet.
 
You forgot the parent that tries to coach from the sidelines but has no clue what the right way is.

I'm the parent that doesn't say much to other parents but says something to my own kid when she isn't doing something right.
 
stateofmind said:
I'd like to think I'm a bit of all of those. I like to meet the coach, but never kiss up. I have coached, and tend to still do it when they NEED somebody. But would rather watch. I like to be social with other parents to see if they truly are the person I categorize rather than assume I know from observing. But I would much rather sit with my wife than talk to every Mom and Dad the whole game.

But I can be the Dad on the sideline being a bit too competitive. I wish I wasn't this way so much. I'd much rather enjoy the game no matter what happens. Usually I'm encouraging though and not "coaching", unless I'm actually a coach. :wink:

I'm sure my classification of myself is much different than reality, or what somebody would classify me from observing me. I hope not, but it is what it is I guess. More importantly I don't want the kids thinking that I'm unfair or critical, to heck with what parents think.
Click to expand...

When you put it that way, I sound like a huge judgmental *****... Thanks! :jimlad:
 
I am a recovering #6. #6 is "way too competitive parent". I feel bad for my older son. I really screwed up when he played football. My younger son plays now and I have to continually remind myself to keep my mouth shut. It's a game. He's not playing for the Packers.

Ugh, sometimes being a parent is hard.
 
My parents were sort of like number 4. They were supportive but did not live vicariously through me (which is good, because that would have been really sad given my complete lack of athletic ability).

One of my favorite types of parents when I ran CC was the parents who obviously couldn't even run a half mile but were still yelling at their kids to pick up the pace. I always found that kind of funny
 
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Is there a "recluse" category?

I cannot stress how much I hate being around other parents at my children's games. Hothead losers living vicariously through their kids. It doesn't matter the age of the child - pee wees through high school varsity. It's non-stop screaming at the players, screaming at the coaches, screaming at the officials. ******** and moaning in the stands.

And for the most part, the parents have no idea what they are talking about - rules, technique, team strategy, you name it. Dumbest people I have ever been around.

I avoid the crowds like I have leprosy.

Here was my strategy:

Baseball - lawn chair down the right or left field line. Stay away from bleachers and dugout area.

Football - Sit on opponent's side of the field. If that is too much, head to the end zone.

Basketball/Volleyball - Again, sit in opponent's section or stand in the corner. Avoid concession area during breaks.

Golf - Don't walk with the golfers. Walk ahead of the group and watch where their shots land.

Band and Choir - Just kidding! Never had a problem there. I let me wife choose the seats.
 
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