why is this behavior by parents tolerable? IMHO it isn't - for a bunch of reasons. But one big problem is what the hell are kids learning from this juvenile conduct? And then everybody wrings their hands down the road about "entitled jocks."

I don't think anybody would attempt to justify the fistfight that is the backdrop of that article - or any behavior even close to it. But across the spectrum of parent behaviors in youth sports I suspect that my filter lets more stuff through as "acceptable" and I just typically try to avoid getting worked up about the stuff that isn't acceptable. I certainly don't aggregate the unacceptable stuff and let it ruin my own or my kids' enjoyment of the sport.

It's competition. It's supposed to get one's adrenaline and "competitive juices" flowing. From time-to-time, one of my kid's teams will be getting blown out by 20+ points in an AAU hoops game and it will start to piss me off that the opposing parents are wildly cheering every basket like it's a tied championship game. But I catch myself and think "The problem isn't them; it's that you're being sensitive. They're excited about their kid." So I try to practice what I preach. Do I think it's better to "act like you've been there before" and tone it down when your team is up by 20? Absolutely. But I'm not going to let myself get worked up if another parent doesn't. And especially not bitch about it long afterward or let it affect my (or my kid's) enjoyment of the game generally.

Just enjoy your kids and create and environment where he/she enjoys it too

Half the fun for kids is the gear and uniforms and stuff. The other half is the treats after the game.

I heard a guy once say that the only thing his dad said after a game was, "geez, I love watching you play ________" I learned from that and did the same thing. The last thing a kid wants to do in the post-game car ride is get coached and critiqued and/or criticized.

And let the kids enjoy it. If you can't tell whether or not your kid enjoys it, you're doing something wrong.

I was the intense parent, critiquing (I wasn't coaching - I know that now) my son's races and such after his events (swimmer). I read that statement somewhere and it hit me like a ton of bricks. He was about 10 at the time and is now 16 and still swims in our summer league.

My favorite moments are after his races grabbing the fist bump, quick hug, or even the glance across the pool if I happen to be working the meeting signaling that I am proud of him and enjoy watching. Let the coaches coach, I enjoy being the parent.

My kids are into lacrosse and swimming. I couldn't even spell lacrosse growing up in southern Indiana, and I'm a terrible swimmer. Even if I wanted to helicopter parent and get on their case, I wouldn't know what I'm talking about. I just sit back and enjoy the games/meets, comfortable in my ignorance.

In the past, they've played baseball and soccer, which I played a lot as a kid. I've had to stop myself mid-critique on a number of occasions, and probably failed to stop a few times. It takes a lot of restraint.

I cheer at the wrong time and get upset at the wrong calls...actually, it's the best. I just go out and enjoy a nice day and watch my son having a blast.

Great point

few of the problems I have witnessed in football and soccer (baseball scared me off from even trying it out as a parent). I think it’s a combo of two things - there’s no college scholarships/professional opportunities that parents are fighting for and rugby players cultivate a unique form of competition that’s very focused on camaraderie. When most parents also played, it creates a very laid back sideline. I hope it’s that way everywhere.