Both my sons have the same soccer coach. Given the drama over the past 10 days, how that man isn’t a raging alcoholic is beyond me. I’d drink if I were him but then again, it doesn’t take drama for me to pour a glass of wine. Am I right? Now, this letter isn’t for the normal parents who understand these are just kids, never question the ref or coaches and always offer words of encouragement. This isn’t about you and God bless you.
This letter is from us, the assholes, to the coaches. Yep, I’ve been an ass hole before and sometimes after a game I ask myself, ‘what have I become?’ Do you know how many times today I said “we are the worst,” when describing soccer parent behavior at work? Five times, I counted. Anyway, this letter at the very least, is to show we are mindful of our asshole like tendencies.
Dear Coach,
On behalf of all the bat-shit crazy parents, I’d like to apologize for our behavior. It doesn’t matter if you coach soccer, baseball, volleyball or curling, your patience with us is a lesson and quite frankly, inspiring. Please understand this letter isn’t from the normal parent who is actually able to keep their emotions in check. They don’t owe an apology. If I were you, I’d quit now and write books. A few titles that come to mind include, “How to Deal with Bat Shit Crazy” or “Your Kid Will Never Be Neymar”. These are just a few ideas however I’d be happy to bounce additional titles off you, at your leisure.
Though I’m guilty of a few, the below is what I either experienced or collaborated with my friends, to really drive home the level of bat shit crazy many youth coaches around the world experience. Here is what we’re sorry for:
- Yelling at the refs, even when they were nuns or priests.
- Emailing you that I was unhappy with the position my child is playing.
- Emailing you that my son/daughter wasn’t getting enough play time.
- Not going to practice due to rain. We’ve since learned rain will not hurt us and will make every attempt to attend during rain.
- Arriving 2 minutes before a game starts despite your gentle request of 30 minutes.
- Getting drunk in the common area of the hotel of travel tournaments. You looking on, in sheer disgust.
- Threatening you.
- For calling 9-year-olds obscene names based on athletic ability.
- Signing the parents code of conduct then giving zero fucks that we signed it.
- Having to coach the parents more than the kids.
- All the sideline coaching you endure but damn it, I’m convinced it will totally make a difference.
- Calling you an ass hole.
- Calling other parents an ass hole.
- Calling the children ass holes.
- Asking if practice is canceled….because it rained.
- Having parent meetings because of our poor behavior.
- Being accused of things because “Johnny would never lie….”
- Fighting with the parents of the other team.
- Being featured in Parents Behaving Badly on You Tube.
I’m sure I missed many other indiscretions and for that, I apologize. Just know you are appreciated and I’m sorry for our behavior.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bat Shit Crazy
P.S. As a token of my appreciation for your hard work and dedication, I have submitted a request to make September 25th officially Youth Coach Day. If granted, please use this day to ignore all of us though I’m sure one will show up on your door step.
Now people, it’s your turn. What did I miss from the above list that you’ve seen or heard about?
LOL this was great! Nuns and priests?! I think that needs to be a blog post hehe
I was thinking of a Catholic school and maybe there are nuns and Priests that have to ref or coach.
ohs haha – I thought maybe there was a story behind it hehe
Well, there’s a story behind this letter overall but I’ll reserve that for a text to you!
Oooo can’t wait!
Funny!! Haven’t we all been that parent? I know that I have. One time, my daughters soccer coach came to me and asked me to be a little quieter because the kids couldn’t hear him lol. I was a cheerleader as a teen what can I say? It certainly made me more aware that my sideline coaching wasn’t really necessary! ??♀️
You are sooo right! I’ve been a bad parent before and there has been so much bad behavior, I’ve even video taped it and put it on You Tube. Now, were you coaching the kids or were you cheering? I know many dads tend to think they are assistant coaching.
I guess I was coaching them…..funny thing is, I never played soccer but 5 days a week on the field made me quite the expert I thought! I love the You Tube idea!
LOL! That’s EXACTLY what my husband thinks, I think. It’s like a monster takes over our bodies on the sidelines!!
Sometimes you have to have a “discussion” with the coach. My grandson plays soccer and the games are us watching him sit on the bench. The coach sometimes lets him play for 10 to 15 minutes then it’s back to the bench. Last week his Dad, my son, spoke to the coach about this and the coach’s reply was “If I had to number my players 1 to17, he would be 17”.
The sad part was this was said in front of my grandson.
That was COMPLETELY wrong of the coach on so many levels! My eyes grew big just reading that. In what reality did that coach think that was ok? From what I’m to understand, travel soccer can be like that, kids don’t get equal playing times but there are far better ways to handle it. He should have been reported!
Thank you for confirming what I thought. He’s finishing the season then it’s up to him about playing again.
I just hope and pray some moronic adult causes him to hate soccer.
I like it! It is the same here. We lose our minds a little…a lot!!
So it’s a worldwide thing?!? Its not just Americans flipping out? Makes me feel better.
It is definitely in Ireland too. For sure!