Parents/Coaches Put On Notice

[HIGH-TECH TENNIS]

Late Sunday afternoon at the Spring Southern Closed in Mobile, AL, some monsoon-ish weather quickly approached and wiped out the remainder of the day.

Monday morning, we were told there would be a short meeting before play began.

TD Scott Novack notified what he estimated to be 60% of parents/coaches whose behavior was completely over the top that they were not permitted to come to this tournament and abuse children. He spoke in very strong terms and said the PD was just down the street and if he see more of it that day, he would have the person arrested and removed from this facility.

He very plainly said this: You are ruining this event for the CHILDREN - It ends here and it ends now.

Have never, ever, ever heard this before------After he finished, small round of applause (presumably from the 40% of parents/coaches who realize this is a GAME and these are CHILDREN. Also saw at least one parent approach the TD afterward to thank him + shake his hand.

I posted it on our FB page and it generated much discussion...One person said he deserved the tennis equivalent of the medal of honor for taking a stand and demanding respect.

WHAT IS GOING ON???????? I can't even tell you how bad some of the behavior was. Of course we are somewhat used to the atrocious behavior of some of the players, but we're talking PARENTS AND COACHES. Whoa.

[chalkflewup]

I am all in favor of ZERO TOLERANCE. The ONLY issue I have with this approach is the complete lack of consistency in the message that is delivered from one tournament to the next.

[sureshs]

Parents should be given a form to sign which informs them about prohibited actions and consequences for them. Private security should be hired and the expenses added to the tournament fees in an explicit fashion so that parents feel the pinch and get outraged at such behavior. I think a situation in which children are abused by strangers would automatically result in arrest in other cases.

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Parents should be given a form to sign which informs them about prohibited actions and consequences for them. Private security should be hired and the expenses added to the tournament fees in an explicit fashion so that parents feel the pinch and get outraged at such behavior. I think a situation in which children are abused by strangers would automatically result in arrest in other cases.

Is this what junior tennis has come to?

[JLyon]

Many Sections have a zero tolerance policy, but it does need to be enforced and that will end some of the craziness.

[Number1Coach]

Great hope he holds a tougher guideline for the things that will be on the court using some of the worst lango and have outburst of uncontrolable attitudes that scream''Bad parenting''

[Number1Coach]

Wait that would clear out most of the competitors!!!,

[ChiefAce]

Unfortunately many people have lost a certain amount of respect for others when it comes to competition. Tennis parents need to be served notice that they're indeed ruining the game for the kids. I'm glad the TD called the meeting and said something; sportsmanship, loyalty, and respect are seriously lacking in the junior game right now.

[maggmaster]

Yep I personally almost lost my temper with a club member yesterday when he came down and started berating his 10 year old during a clinic. I didn't want to blow up in front of the kids so I told him parents were not permitted on the courts during clinics and then told the tennis director after that he should speak with him. I do not understand what these people are thinking.

[HIGH-TECH TENNIS]

Many people complain about inconsistencies in officiating - a real problem, to be sure - but wish folks would stop and realize this: it is not the job of an official to teach the children to follow the rules of the game and to treat each other with basic respect!!! Speaking of respect (or lack thereof), I overheard officials discussing the need to ban booty shorts to the already very specific dress code in force at Mobile Tennis Center... And they were talking about players AND parents!!! WHAT ARE PEOPLE THINKING???

[tennis_ocd]

If really that bad, highlights would be a youtube hit. Shame the parents into behaving.

[Woolybugger]

It's about time! I've seen awful behavior from parents and children in the 12 and unders. The "win at all costs" mentality is too strong, too pervasive. Coaches, parents, tennis needs to emphasize sportsmanship, playing your best, learning life skills, love of the game and not get so strung up about WINNING matches all the time.

[Mitch Bridge]

COOPERATION over competition. People are out of control. Where are the manners and formality of how to carry yourself in public. Umpires also need to use point penalties for parental infractions and well as player infractions.

[Woolybugger]

Originally Posted by Mitch Bridge

Umpires also need to use point penalties for parental infractions and well as player infractions.

That's interesting. And a very good suggestion too. Most of the time it's the parents that are out of control, so a point penalty will really shut them up.

[chalkflewup]

Originally Posted by HIGH-TECH TENNIS

Many people complain about inconsistencies in officiating - a real problem, to be sure - but wish folks would stop and realize this: it is not the job of an official to teach the children to follow the rules of the game and to treat each other with basic respect!!! Speaking of respect (or lack thereof), I overheard officials discussing the need to ban booty shorts to the already very specific dress code in force at Mobile Tennis Center... And they were talking about players AND parents!!! WHAT ARE PEOPLE THINKING???

I don't believe that the masses expect the officials to teach the kids the rules. But, they need to enforce them at every tournament, not just Mobile.

[Tennishacker]

Originally Posted by chalkflewup

I don't believe that the masses expect the officials to teach the kids the rules. But, they need to enforce them at every tournament, not just Mobile.

Yes, enforcement is all over the place, tournament to tournament.

[tennis5]

Originally Posted by Mitch Bridge

COOPERATION over competition. People are out of control. Where are the manners and formality of how to carry yourself in public. Umpires also need to use point penalties for parental infractions and well as player infractions.

Bingo.

Last National L2 tournament I walked towards the courts.......

We just get there, 30 seconds in, as I am walking into the complex, I see a boy's tennis racquet fly out of his hand.

One second later, I hear the ref say, " Hold onto your racquet".

Hello? How about some kind of point penalty.

How bizarre that beyond the spiking of the balls into the stands, cheating, cursing ( love the F word too),
we have racquets flying around the court..........

[tennis5]

Originally Posted by HIGH-TECH TENNIS

Many people complain about inconsistencies in officiating - a real problem, to be sure - but wish folks would stop and realize this: it is not the job of an official to teach the children to follow the rules of the game and to treat each other with basic respect!!! Speaking of respect (or lack thereof), I overheard officials discussing the need to ban booty shorts to the already very specific dress code in force at Mobile Tennis Center... And they were talking about players AND parents!!! WHAT ARE PEOPLE THINKING???

Mobile has a dress code for the kids. Not a white dress code,
but no short shorts, and the boys are not allowed to wear shorts so low that you can see their underwear.

They also have a no deity word ban .....
But, I have been there three times, and heard the word ( Jesus, God) used a lot....

[Tennishacker]

Originally Posted by tennis5

Mobile has a dress code for the kids. Not a white dress code,
but no short shorts, and the boys are not allowed to wear shorts so low that you can see their underwear.

They also have a no deity word ban .....
But, I have been there three times, and heard the word ( Jesus, God) used a lot....

The price to live in the south.

When I lived in Texas, we had to address our teachers, Yes sir, yes ma'am.

[Sunbeam]

I have three kids who have been playing tournaments over the past 8 years.

Three times I have been in a pool of new parents. For most it is their very first experince with tournament play and conduct.

The parents of the younger kids are clueless on how to conduct themselves at these events.

Most of them I do not blame. They are green, they love their kid and want them to succeed and they end up getting too involved where it is no longer a match between two eleven-year-olds, but a match between an 11-year-old and a 40-year-old.

I think some have the idea that they can act like this because they mistakenly think they will 'never see these people again'. Most deliberate bad behavior cools down over time when the parents realize that this is their new lonnnnnng-term group of acquaintances.

However, with the very new parents, I was always wishing I could have at least a paper that outlined parent behavior to hand to that well meaning new dad hanging on the fence giving his 10-year-old tips during the match... the mom thinking it is ok to sit on the change-over bench while the kids played the match... the parent trying to help two young kids figure out the score....


Why has this not been addressed yet?

All new parents should be given an informational book on the correct conduct at these tournaments. I am sure it would be well received.

To reinforce that the code of conduct is serious, parents and players should sign a Code of Conduct Statement at EACH TOURNAMENT. This could be taped on the TD desk with the code and a lot of lines for the parentals and coaches to sign before the player can be put on the court.

Pamphlets/booklets about this should be handed out often in the younger age groups to new players and parents.

This is done for soccer and Little League and over the years I have noticed that parent behavior is MUCH better than it was when my first was starting out.

Maybe this should be a new thread -- or two new threads, but

From the trenches,

What should the Code of Conduct list as unacceptable behavior?

What are suggested behaviors?

I'd be interested in hearing everyone's input.