Sideline Noise and Culture

Did you know that quite a few football teams in the NFL not only have a sports psychologist on staff but also on their sidelines? They share that they do this as a way to be proactive in the moment for their players and team. 

This fast intervention, early identification, and continuous support helps improve their players both physically and mentally. It allows fewer interruptions, distractions, and no lapse in time between a possible issue(s) and addressing it. This provides a great opportunity for athletes and teams to become more self-aware and to be their best inner coach. Growth, encouragement, and support fuel their sidelines leaving little time for athletes to get distracted from all the other noise or behavior, and language that may come from the stadium and fans.

In youth sports and for student-athletes, the sideline noise, culture, and support are very different. Though some of us may have supportive coaches, teammates, parents, etc., we do not have the means to obtain a sport psychologist and often witness or are subjected to bad behavior from the sidelines. This leaves us trying to sort through complex feelings on top of trying to understand and access our performance on the pitch. Poor sideline behavior is distracting and inhibits player development and can affect the player's mental health.

So, what exactly constitutes bad sideline behavior? I think most would first answer by stating it's often the "parent" and fan involvement such as yelling at the referees, other team, or coaching from the sidelines. But did you know an athlete could also be subjected to bad behavior and language even before or after a game?

This past year, I've experienced a few incidents related to overzealous, high adrenaline, out of line parent sideline behavior. Don't get me wrong, when sideline behavior is kept positive and supportive, it elevates me and my performance. The cheers from a nice upper 90 save as a goalkeeper is thrilling and a sign that my hard work and training is paying off. I'm also appreciative of the times that opponents, coaches from the other team, and parents on either sideline compliment me on my efforts on the pitch. When comments, language, and behavior are not instructive or supportive as I recently experienced, it can have a negative impact on an athlete's mental health.

The two incidents that stand out the most this past year involved two fathers of players on teams I played against. Both sideline situations occurred after the game. One father cornered me after a game that his child's team had won. During the game, I had quite a few great saves which I was excited about for several reasons; great highlight reel and we played against a highly skilled, respected team. During the match, I received cheers from both sidelines. His child is also a goalkeeper. The dad shared it was a "great game," and then launched into how he has been following my past games (i.e. goals against) and how his daughter's stats were more impressive. I shared how I respected his daughter and her performance; however, he interrupted me and proceeded to try and intimate me for the next tournament match that was approaching. Another older player from my club came over when she noticed I looked uncomfortable. I felt a little shaken by this but was more surprised how an adult could corner a young athlete like this. To this day, any time my team plays his child’s team he can be found behind my goal box or off on the corner of the field so that he can comment on my performance. I’m learning to tune him out and focus on the pitch.

Then most recently, another father after a blowout of a game where his daughter's team won 10-0, felt the need to come over to share his excitement. I shared how much I enjoy playing against his daughter as she is one of the best. I informed him that his daughter pushes me to be a better athlete, as she helps fuel player development and I have improved my top hand saves because of her. He laughed at my comment, and said, "You must love being scored on by her a lot then!" I walked off feeling frustrated that there could not be more of an appreciation for an athlete trying to demonstrate good sportsmanship.

I went home still thinking about the recent incident and decided to start journaling about this and past incidents of poor sideline behavior. After the loss of a fellow teammate and friend to suicide this year, I have sought support. So, by journaling about bigger feelings and now working with a mental skills trainer, and Female Footballers, as well as having supportive parents, I was able to process through these incidents. Not everyone has this support! My hope for 2023 and all youth and student-athletes is that we continue our efforts to bring awareness to the importance of adding mental skills curriculum to our sports programs. Athletes need support dealing with the pressures of the game and sidelines. I also hope we continue our efforts on improving sideline noise and culture. Parent education is just as important as having stricter policies and procedures. We might not be able to compete with the NFL and have sport psychologists on our sidelines but I believe there's some middle ground that might be implemented. 

By Aubrey McLin