When should parents stop giving coaching advice to players?

This is an interesting question because we have a lot of parents that care a lot and want to help a lot. Some parents aren’t able to get on the ice and coach their kids, so they give advice on situational aspects or technical aspects that they feel their athlete could do better. I think every case is a little bit different.

There’s a point when a hockey player’s career becomes all theirs. At that time, parents should maybe step back and become more of a listener, a helper, a supporter, and a cheerleader, not as much as a coach. There’s a point in every player’s lifetime where they decide that they’re no longer going to listen to mom or dad and the things they’re going to have to say.

I’m sure even Wayne Gretzky, who is probably one of the best hockey players ever, that even his kids stop listening to him for advice on Hockey. Understanding the relationship between parent and player is very important because as a player gets older or more advanced in hockey, the less a parent will have the ability to affect the player’s game. At that time, they will have to help encourage console, and I think that’s more important than telling them to turn left turn right do things differently.

It has to come from the coach. It has to come from the player. Each family dynamic plays a little bit different role so learning when to step back from educator and become more support, nutritionist and mental support is very important. For one, it saves the relationship between Player and parent and two makes it a less stressful environment. Let the coaches do the coaching, and parents need to step back.

Of course, this all depends on the player, the maturity and understanding of the player and the maturity of the parent to understand that now is time to let the flower grow on its own and see what can be done as eventually you will have no input you will have no effect on the advancement of the player. It is up to that player to lead the charge in their development and growth.