Bobby Puppione
Girls Academy Director at FC Virginia
Formerly the Technical Director and Director of Coaching at CUP/Cincinnati United and Cincinnati Development Academy. Bobby’s also been a US Soccer Youth National Team Assistant Coach and Youth National Team Scout. Past players are doctors, teachers, lawyers, nurses, business owners, coaches, many other professionals, former pros and national team players, including USWNT player Rose Lavelle.
A USSF A License coach and has obtained a US Soccer Academy Director License and a US Soccer Grassroots Coach Educator. Bobby received his undergrad and master’s degrees from the University of Alabama. Grew up outside of Oakland, California in the town of Castro Valley.
How would you define a parent’s role within the youth sports environment?
The role of a parent(s) in youth sports is to provide support for their child/children in a way that is positive without being over-involved in a “helicopter” fashion. Parents should provide emotional support so that their child/children develop a love for the game / activity. They need to remember these are children and not professionals, and success is not defined by winning.
What are the benefits of being a positive youth sports parent?
The benefits of being a positive youth sports parent include:
Child developing a love for the game
Child growing in the sport
Child learning important life lessons through sport
Parent enjoying the experience watching their child grow up and love the game.
Tell us how your parents supported you in becoming a player/coach/teacher?
My parents were very supportive of my journey. With sports, they always provided for me in what I needed, positively supported me without trying to coach me, and allowed me to succeed and fail. This allowed me to grow a deeper love for sports. They are both retired educators so they have a good understanding of learning, child development, and long-term growth. This has helped me become a better coach/educator with my club.
What advice would you give any youth sports parents, with a talented son/daughter and ambition also drive to reach the highest level?
My advice to players in youth sport is: Enjoy the journey. Make sure this is something YOU want and no one else. Don’t be afraid to say no / take a break / try something else.
My advice to parents in youth sports: Support your child’s journey in a positive way. Don’t hover over them and make it a job. Allow them to succeed and fail while helping keep things in perspective.
In your experience as a coach, how can uneducated and non-supporting parents, affect players (short & long-term)?
Short Term – If players have too much pressure to succeed, the child will not perform their best and will not enjoy what they are doing. A player’s confidence will also be affected in a negative way. If a parent is contradicting what the coach is saying, this will lead to confusion with the player.
Long Term – Players will fall out of love with the game and becomes a “job”. Players will quit the sport. Players will resent their parents for what they went through as a child.
What advice would you give coaches/clubs regarding youth sports parents?
Coaches and clubs should make their teams’ parents involved in the process. There are many ways to do this. One way to include parents is to educate them on the philosophy, beliefs, and values of the organization. This will help them have a better understanding of what you are doing and why you are doing it. In addition, constant communication will allow the parents to have a better idea of what has happened, is happening, and will happen down the road. This leads to a clear understanding of what to expect. Including parents in the process leads to positive supporters of what you are doing with the players/team.
What advice would you give youth sports parents for the car journey to and from youth sports practices and/or games?
The car ride to and from a practice or game can be beneficial or detrimental to a child/player. Each child is different and their needs are different. But here are some good tips: To the practice/game: Keep silent and let the child/player do their own thing (if that is what the child likes best). Talk to them about anything – but don’t coach them (if that is what the child wants). Tell them you love them, good luck, and try your best.
After the game: Tell them you love them. Tell them you enjoyed watching them compete. Get them a good meal and water/sports drink.
What types of behaviours/mannerisms/comments would you encourage parents to demonstrate? Pre-During and Post training/match.
During a match, a parent should have good body language. If cheering, should be done at the right moments with a positive tone and without coaching. After the game, this should continue with good body language and positive tone and words.
Thank you to Bobby for taking the time to complete the following interview questions.
Twitter: @bobbypup
