If you decide to coach your own child, I wish you good luck.
It seldom works, but it can be a rewarding experience when it does. I’m not here to tell you this is a good idea or a bad one. What i am here to tell you is that if you are not THE coach, you shouldn’t be coaching.
I have seen many parents who provide their goaltender with suggestions, comments and coaching tips that are in direct conflict with the actual coach or goaltending coach’s advice.
Absolutely, be informed and involved and educate yourself, but if you feel the need to help with the coaching of your child, be they a player or goalie, make sure you are providing advice that is helpful and correct. If you don’t agree or believe what the actual coach is telling your goalie is correct, it’s time to have a respectful, scheduled and calm discussion with that coach, without your son or daughter being present.
I understand better than most people, the concern and misinformation that ‘pseudo’ goalie coaches provide to young goalies and how frustrating this can be.
But to completely contradict the coach with instructions and comments, will destroy your son or daughters confidence in that coach. This creates dissension, mistrust and a loss of respect. So best to have a discussion and be very aware of the messages you send.
A confused goalie will not be able to properly focus on the task at hand, when conflicting advice has them trying to figure out what to do. This is a terribly fine line to walk and something I have spent years trying to help coaches and parents deal with.
I fully understand that sometimes the info given to goalies is simply wrong and as a parent you only want to provide the right information and training. Just be very aware of the message you are sending and the perception you are creating.