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Post by fantom on Oct 12, 2017 10:10:39 GMT -6
The thread about AD's/principals watching practice got me thinking about parents who watch practice. We have more at our practices than anywhere that I've been. Now, I'm not talking about dozens but there's always at least four or five that watch most of practice. Does this happen at your place?
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Post by PSS on Oct 12, 2017 10:19:29 GMT -6
The thread about AD's/principals watching practice got me thinking about parents who watch practice. We have more at our practices than anywhere that I've been. Now, I'm not talking about dozens but there's always at least four or five that watch most of practice. Does this happen at your place? It varies year to year. This year we rarely have any. Last year we would have 3-4 everyday. Although we do have more "media" people this year because we have 2 DI commits. That doesn't happen very often where we're located. |
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Post by tothehouse on Oct 12, 2017 10:29:30 GMT -6
We've had this in the past. It has never been a big deal. I've heard it being a big deals from other coaches, but it is usually dads who are supportive of the team...not just their kid.
This year...we have a kid with heart condition. Our district said the kid can't play football unless a parent is at EVERYTHING. And sure enough...a parent is at everything...with an AED. Weird situation that has worked out fine with limited/no distractions.
I'm all for parents watching...for football practice. Again..with good intentions and just watching to watch. I know our basketball coach has a staunch rule about no parents watching. I can see that...because in basketball everything is so close and the parents can hear all the words from the coach.
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Post by fantom on Oct 12, 2017 10:39:36 GMT -6
We've had this in the past. It has never been a big deal. I've heard it being a big deals from other coaches, but it is usually dads who are supportive of the team...not just their kid. This year...we have a kid with heart condition. Our district said the kid can't play football unless a parent is at EVERYTHING. And sure enough...a parent is at everything...with an AED. Weird situation that has worked out fine with limited/no distractions. I'm all for parents watching...for football practice. Again..with good intentions and just watching to watch. I know our basketball coach has a staunch rule about no parents watching. I can see that...because in basketball everything is so close and the parents can hear all the words from the coach. I'm not complaining about it. It's just an oddity. When I was in HS there were guys who watched practice but they were old, retired guys who had nothing better to do than hang out, smoke Parodis, and watch football. |
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Post by 44dlcoach on Oct 12, 2017 10:46:18 GMT -6
We've got a couple dads who are retired and at every practice, they just sit in the stands and pretty much keep to themselves. A few years ago there was a crew of about 5 or 6 dads that were at practice all the time but they just stayed behind the fence and hung out, never had any issues with it. It was weird to have so many of them there every day when other years there are no parents at practice.
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Post by coachcb on Oct 12, 2017 10:47:09 GMT -6
It has varied from program to program for me. And year to year within those programs as well. We went undefeated with our freshmen teams one year and didn't have a single parent show up at practice. Both of the freshmen teams struggled the next year and our varsity HC had to ship several dads to the parking lot during practice because they would skulk around and run their mouths.
We've only had parents consistently at a varsity practice during one season. We were doing well that year but a few parents disliked the HC so they were there every night, waiting for him to do something so they could b-tch to the administration. They sat in the stands, away from the practice, so the HC couldn't do anything about it as they had a right to be on school property and weren't disruptive. Granted, he put himself in that situation by using inappropriate language and hollering at the kids all practice..
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Post by groundchuck on Oct 12, 2017 12:04:49 GMT -6
This happened to us a few years ago. Mom was mad her one son was not starting at DB. He was playing some on offense. She was not convinced the other 4 guys ahead him were better. So dad came and watched the entire practice. I made sure the DB coach had him in situations vs our best receivers and he did get beat because his footwork was terrible. Decent wide receiver. Bad DB. I think that was the only time this happened.
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Post by bigmoot on Oct 12, 2017 12:06:05 GMT -6
Not alot. some places more than others. it always makes me nervous...idk why, just dont like it
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Post by murdr on Oct 12, 2017 12:50:46 GMT -6
Football moms are just like soccer moms, and moms in general. If I had the ability to, I wouldn't let parents come to practice.
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Post by tothehouse on Oct 12, 2017 13:10:44 GMT -6
I think it's kind of different kid to kid...parent to parent. Everyone is blinded by the love for their child. The "best" parents still want their kid to play more, etc.
That being said...the "good" parents "get it". A few parents we've had over the years...sit back in the stands...watch...and chill. Never hear anything from them either way. Good approach.
Others...you feel like...sit there and are there to scout as others have stated.
I think (and it's not my call since I'm not an HC) that I wouldn't promote parents coming to practice, but I wouldn't discourage it. I think flat out telling parents to stay away could create an issue. If there is an issue...deal with that parent accordingly.
A kid's time is short playing HS sports (sports in general)...if a supportive parent wants to watch their son in action...so be it.
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Post by wolverine55 on Oct 12, 2017 13:16:31 GMT -6
We have a few parents who come and watch occasionally. I've never seen this in writing, but I've been told we actually have a policy where practices have to be "open" in our school district.
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Post by larrymoe on Oct 12, 2017 18:39:47 GMT -6
In 20 years I've never had a parent come to a practice for more than a couple minutes and usually only once.
I have no idea why you would want to watch a football practice. One of the most boring things on earth if you're not involved.
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Post by adawg2302 on Oct 12, 2017 21:23:21 GMT -6
We usually have a couple come sit in the stands and watch every practice. Mainly parents who have nothing better to do. Every situation may be different.
When I was a player, my Dad used to come and watch practice every once in awhile. Would sit at the top of a hill, overlooking the field, not bothering anyone. He traveled a lot for work and couldn't always watch on game days, so watching me practice was his way of being able to watch his son play ball.
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Post by fkaboneyard on Oct 12, 2017 23:40:03 GMT -6
My experience at a public school - none of the parents show up for practice, some kids are lucky if their parents come to the games.
My experience at a private school - a bunch of the parents of freshmen and first year players come to the first few practices and then stop coming when they realize their kid isn't going to die. Midway through the season there is always a dad or three that is mad that his kid lost or never got a starting position so he stands by the field, arms folded, glaring at the coaching staff. That lasts for a few weeks and then the dad goes away.
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Post by newhope on Oct 13, 2017 7:35:49 GMT -6
I've coached at places where you rarely saw a parent, to other places where there were parents or locals present everyday. At one school we had to mark off an area so that they stayed out of the way. We never allow them on the practice field
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Post by wolverine55 on Oct 13, 2017 8:30:31 GMT -6
In 20 years I've never had a parent come to a practice for more than a couple minutes and usually only once. I have no idea why you would want to watch a football practice. One of the most boring things on earth if you're not involved. This is my take. I don't mind when parents watch practice, but we have a group this year that has watched almost every day. I genuinely find it alarming they don't have anything better to do for those 2-2.5 hours... |
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Post by blb on Oct 13, 2017 8:48:24 GMT -6
Only remember one parent being at practice and it was not a problem.
Friend of mine did not like parents at practice. He said when he saw somebody standing on the sideline who "wasn't supposed to be there," he'd run Quick Pitch right at them.
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Post by aceback76 on Oct 13, 2017 9:08:31 GMT -6
The thread about AD's/principals watching practice got me thinking about parents who watch practice. We have more at our practices than anywhere that I've been. Now, I'm not talking about dozens but there's always at least four or five that watch most of practice. Does this happen at your place? OK with me IF they stay in the stands (or at least on or behind the TRACK that runs around our field), and NOT on the sidelines!!! THAT is enforced! |
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Post by fkaboneyard on Oct 13, 2017 9:22:40 GMT -6
I had a dad that showed up to most practices and then continued to come to practices the year after his son graduated. He was a single dad and his son moved several states away to go to college, Dad was absolutely lost without him. We made him our videographer and he helped with equipment, he was a great addition.
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Post by fshamrock on Oct 13, 2017 11:09:39 GMT -6
I once coached with a guy and his dad showed up to practice....he just stood around the dude's individual drills and looked at everybody..it's not like he was an ex coach or something, I think he just worked for FedEx. Next thing I know dude was on the sideline of the games. We also had this old equipment room where the secondary would meet at halftime of the game to go over adjustments, dude comes walking out of his meeting to take the field, the players come out..and then comes dad.
it was weird
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Post by Old Pro on Oct 14, 2017 22:26:44 GMT -6
Had a group of moms one year. Most kids hadn't played before so the intensity and hard work was new to them. Kids complained that coach (me) is yelling and working them too hard. One mom shows up one day. Sits in shade at end of field. During a water break I ask if I can help her. No, she just is watching "to learn the game". Ok. Next day, different mom. Same place but talked on phone a lot. The next day, another mom. Mom is in lawn chair just reading a book. It finally dawns on me why they are there.
During a water break I go up to mom number 3 and tell her how impressed I am with the interest the moms are showing. I tell her I may set up a table with drinks and cookies so they are more comfortable. I also tell her to invite more moms so they have company.
They must have gotten the message. That was the last day they showed. Did hear that same group had a prayer circle that prayed for me to have more patience with their sons. I laughed when I heard that and said that was great. I can always use prayers.
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Post by WTR on Oct 18, 2017 11:14:55 GMT -6
Not alot. some places more than others. it always makes me nervous...idk why, just dont like it Same. I'm not a fan of it. |
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Post by 3rdandlong on Oct 18, 2017 11:44:07 GMT -6
I was at a place where it seemed the back up QB's dads were always the one's who came to every practice and stayed the whole time. Back up QB dads are the absolute WORST!
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Post by coachwoodall on Oct 18, 2017 12:57:13 GMT -6
I worked for a guy one time who told this story. He was a guy that had a reputation for taking on down programs.
One place he worked had some private property right next to the practice field, a little hill right near the fence. Guys would back their trucks up to the fence and watch practice. During it they would make comments about how bad the coaches were and how bad the kids were, who should be playing, playing where, etc.....
When he took over, he was having the same problems and happened to mention it to one of the dads. Big guy, retired Marine. Marine says, "Don't worry about, I'll take care of it"
Next day the Marine shows up before anyone else, parks his truck in the best spot right in the middle. He puts a lawn chair in the back and sits there waiting for the rest of fence hangers to show up. Once they all show up, he says in his best DI voice, "I dare anyone of you suns of beeches to say anything about my boy"
Watching practice wasn't much fun after that, so they stopped coming.
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