Sport Parenting Self-Assessment
The following is a Sport Parenting Self-assessment Test taken from the book “The Fulfilling Ride” by Greg Dale. Please take a few minutes to honestly and objectively reflect on your role as a Sport Parent. Using a scale of 1 to 5, rate yourself on your effectiveness as a Sport Parent. Ask your child and spouse to rate you as well.
1 Strongly Disagree -- 2 Disagree -- 3 Undecided -- 4 Agree -- 5 Strongly Agree
_______I model good sportsmanship at all competitions in the way I interact with other parents, athletes, coaches, and officials.
_______I conduct myself in a manner such that my family and friends enjoy sitting next to me during competitions.
_______I do not put too much pressure on my child to win or perform exceptionally well.
_______I allow and encourage my child to talk to the coach if he or she has an issue with the coach before intervening myself.
_______I do not criticize my child’s coach in front of my child.
_______I do not give technical or strategic instructions to my child or other athletes during competition.
_______I plan to allow and encourage my child to participate in multiple sports, rather than specializing in one sport, until he or she has finished high school.
_______I provide total and unconditional love and support for my child regardless of how he or she performs.
_______I do not expect any type of monetary return (i.e., college scholarship, professional contract) on the time and money I spend on my child’s sport.
_______I conduct myself in a manner that makes my child proud to have me in attendance.
Total Score
45-50 Excellent: You are a model Sport Parent.
40-44 Very Good: Communicate with your child to maintain your current perspective.
30-39 Cause for Concern: Be willing to listen and make changes to regain a proper perspective.
1-29 Out of Control: You have lost perspective. You could be in danger of ruining your child’s sport experience.
