Psychologist talks about ‘helicopter coaching’

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KUSA - We've all heard of helicopter parenting - when a parent who pays extremely close attention to a child's or children's experiences and problems, particularly at educational institutions.

KUSA - We've all heard of helicopter parenting - when a parent who pays extremely close attention to a child's or children's experiences and problems, particularly at educational institutions.

What we may not have addressed lately is helicopter coaches.

"Helicopter parents who are obsessed with winning often join the coaching staff for their child's team, becoming 'helicopter coaches,' literally perching themselves next to the outfielders or near the batter's box so they can continually shout instructions to the children," according to Time Magazine.

Lois Butcher-Poffley, a Temple University sports psychologist and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee's sports psychology registry, told Time Magazine that "this is a way for the helicopter parent to gain access where they were banned before."

How does one combat this growing trend?

Butcher-Poffley suggested leagues need to emphasize that big kids play to win while little kids play for fun. Secondly, coaches should limit their instruction to practices and between innings, and allow the kids to make their own decisions during games.

Butcher-Poffley is afraid parents will not adopt these suggestions, however.

(KUSA-TV © 2013 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)

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