Stress on the sidelines: When parents ruin their children's soccer!

Stress on the sidelines: When parents ruin their children's soccer!

Conflicts often arise in youth football and can usually arise from small, everyday things. Sebastian Schwab, football lecturer at the German Sports University in Cologne, has studied the topic intensively and reports that tensions often arise, particularly at F-youth games. A common trigger is complaints about referee decisions, especially from fathers, who verbally attack and thus spoil the game experience for everyone involved. This affects athletes and parents of all social classes and nationalities, as Schwab highlights in his research and also WDR confirms.

Schwab describes this as problematic “over-involvement” on the part of parents. While engaged parents can be an asset to coaches, it is important to set clear boundaries. Coaches are responsible for what happens on the pitch, including line-up and player substitutions, so outside attacks not only disrupt harmony but also undermine the coaches' authority.

The role of parents in youth football

But what support do parents actually provide? A comprehensive study at the German Sport University found that parents' social support can be divided into three clear areas. Emotional support, instrumental support such as carpooling and communication to avoid conflict are crucial here. Researchers surveyed 480 parents, 241 coaches and 371 children between the ages of 8 and 16 to measure satisfaction with parental support. Dr. Babett Lobinger explains that emotional support on the sidelines has a significant influence on the satisfaction of players and coaches and therefore calls for parents to be better aware of their own behavior DSHS Cologne.

But the dangers of excessive commitment should not be underestimated. A prominent example is the resignation of Lothar Matthäus as coach of the U13 of TSV Grünwald, who resigned from his position despite sporting success. This step was motivated by the constant complaints and inquiries from parents, which made coaching frustrating 1x1sport. Matthäus' experience illustrates that many parents, even if they only want the best for their child, can put pressure on both the coaches and the team.

Cooperation for young footballers

The challenges that arise from parental interference are diverse. Finding the balance between support and overcommitment is one of the biggest challenges in youth football. Over-involved parents question coaches' decisions and often demand more playing time or special positions for their children. In contrast, there are parents who are barely involved and rarely show up to games, which also puts a strain on the team.

In order to improve the climate and avoid conflicts, it is advisable to establish clear structures and proactive communication. Regular parents' evenings and the use of digital communication tools such as WhatsApp groups can help to quickly disseminate information and create transparency. Ultimately, everyone – players, coaches and parents – benefits from a harmonious relationship based on respect and understanding.