Nutty for liking to watch her practice?

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I would have to admit that I love watching my dd's practices nearly as much as her games, but I most often see other parents drop their girls off at the field and take off. ?So,does it make me nutty to stay and watch? ?I think it embarasses my dtr sometimes, and I try to stay out of the way, but I just enjoy it so much. ?Is this to the level of obsession yet, or just normal softball parent enthusiasm? ?

 

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Nothing frustrates me more as a coach, than to see the parents drop off there kids and leave. So, I feel you are doing nothing wrong.
If you are there watching my practice, you will be able to take your DD home and reinforce what I have been teaching her.
That is as long as your not a distraction to me or the team, and especially your DD. Last thing I want or need is your DD looking over at you after every drill. I want you there, but not there.

 

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Wait until the girls start driving, you rarely see the parents.

 

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You are not nutty! My husband and I will argue about which one of us gets to go to practice. It is a blast to watch them practice as a team. They take practice seriously, but can still giggle over silly mistakes that at the moment won't cost them game. It is great to see our coaches use silly mistakes as teachable moments. I will also tell you that our practices have multiple parents present. If one of our parents can't be there someone becomes the "adopted" parent for that practice. That way our girls always know someone is there to support them.

LADY_KNIGHTS is correct about the ability to reinforce what our coaches have been teaching. We are able to talk to our DD about what she did well as well as what we need to work on in the Cage or backyard before the next practice. We also enjoy her insights about how she thought practice went.

 

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Some high school coaches have a rule that parents cannot attend practices. I think Lady Knight's "there but not there" approach is much more reasonable and productive.

 

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I think the hs rules are intended to limit the constant medling that you find with many hs teams. ? ?I too like to go to my dd practices but sometimes she goes on her own since she can drive. ? I think it is time for her be more self motivated and self reliant. ? The one thing about players getting dropped off, ?especially when they are younger, is the potential of injury. ? I always wanted to be there just in case.

 

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I see nothing wrong in watching practices. I've been given an opinion before that it makes the girls nervous, well what are they going to do in a game where EVERYONE is watching them? No, if I see my DD messing up on her form in practice I then know what I need to work on with her later and get it corrected which should make the coach's job easier because there are a lot of girls after not playing since last season that need attention. So if I work with my DD it's one less player the coach has to make time for.

 

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I agree hermom. There's a huge difference when you are talking about a 10u versus 18u. I've coached younger girls and boys in Rec league and felt I was nothing more than a free 2hr babysitter while Mom and Dad ran errands. That's a shame too, since that's the age to really be involved with the childs development. As parents we all know once they hit a certain age they want less input from us. I understand why though w/older girls coaches want closed door practices, you don't want 24 other coaches yelling instructions out. But coaches should have boundries and rules that the parents understand and respect.

 

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I coach the Thunder Elite 18u and encourage the parents that come to participate. I remember the relationship that I had with my daughter when she played - the time spent working together and miss it terribly now that she, at 24, is a long ways away.

As long the daughter doesnt mind - I dont either. I realize that is different at the other age groups, but there's not much I wouldnt give to have another year traveling with my daughter. Maybe that's why I adopt 11 or 12 each year.

 

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I agree with Lady Knights. ?Parents can come but are not allowed to talk to their daughters about what's going on, even on breaks. ?Now they can talk to a parent about getting them something to drink, but one glare let's them know that they are talking too much. ?I have been coaching HS girls for almost 30 years (primarily basketball), and the older they get the more most don't want their parents around. ?

For those of you who are parents I want to add to make sure that if you work with your daughter on a regular basis, make sure you are not doing anything contradictory. ?I have a few parents who help their daughters and sometimes do more harm than good. ?Ask your daughter, and/ or coach if what you want to work on is conflicting or not. ?I did that with my son's basketball coach and he agreed on most things but there was one thing he disagreed with so I left that alone.

On a lighter note, I went to watch my son practice baseball at college after not seeing him for 2 months (he goes to school in Boston), and got excited over a routine catch. ?This is his senior year and I often get upset that I won't see what might be his last season of organized ball. ?I'll make 3 games at Easter and that's it.

My advice is enjoy every minute. ?You can never turn the clock back and see what you missed- just sit back and relax. ?

 

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I'm pretty sure the practices I hold are fun - and intense at the same time so they are probably fun to watch, but.... as the girls get older (some are juniors) I can see the parents start to count down the times they'll get to do this with them. I love it when the parents cherish those moments.

 

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I almost enjoy practices more than games. Watching them grasp and then perform what they were just taught. You then watch games and see them execute a play they have been bumbling in practice for a week and the heart gets a warm fuzzy feeeling ;D ;D

I feel some parents at the younger levels avoid practice so they can second guess the coach .... and look for greener grass. > >

 

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My advice is enjoy every minute. ?You can never turn the clock back and see what you missed- just sit back and relax. ?

Witz - Thanks for the reminder! ?Sometimes I think we all forget that they will eventually grow up and move on - a college far from home - UGH! ?

Enjoy your Easter games. ? ?P.S. ?Don't forget to relax and enjoy just being the Dad while you watch the games! ?

 

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Well, for the most part I would guess that we both, Mom and Dad , make it to about 85% of all practices and pitching lessons ( Dad has to catch frequently), 100% @ least one of us are there, I love watching my kid pitch.... and since our lessons and practices are a minimum of hour away from home and some times farther it just got to be our family routine...the car ride is when we have some of our best conversations and get caught up with what is going on in school, work, boyfriends, and what she is thinking about her team and teammates....it is a very productive time for us as a family....and yes, she can drive but actually she likes having us there and no we never interfere with practice. We actually have alot of parents @ our tournament team practices....And yes, it will be very hard when she goes to college in 2 years but you can count on us making as many games as possible.....we already are trying to schedule time to see our son who is a pitcher @ Ohio University, a little easier as the boys don't pitch as often as a girls do.....
I really love to see the drills translated into a game situation especially when it works, LOL......

 

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It's a great way to stay involved - coaches shouldn't mind as long as parents don't overstep the boundaries.
They are only young once

 

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If that is nut's, well then we are all crazy

 

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I will always stick around for practices (or the wife) for my daughter. No matter if its for her travel tournament team or her local summer travel team. This being that my DD is in the 10U age group.

I like to see how she progresses,and to watch the coach teach. Also she feels more at comfort to see me stick around.
Also one main reason is if something was to happen,like an injury, I would want to be there, not find out 2 hours later while I was gone.

Im just so proud of myself thus far, that I can just sit there and not butt in,bugging the coach or throwing my 2 cents in! LOL!

 

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I will always stick around for practices (or the wife) for my daughter. No matter if its for her travel tournament team or her local summer travel team. This being that my DD is in the 10U age group.

I like to see how she progresses,and to watch the coach teach. Also she feels more at comfort to see me stick around.
Also one main reason is if something was to happen,like an injury, I would want to be there, not find out 2 hours later while I was gone.

Im just so proud of myself thus far, that I can just sit there and not butt in,bugging the coach or throwing my 2 cents in! LOL!

AN INJURY! I couldn't agree with your more.