This message isn’t just for parents — it’s for me too. I’ve been that dad on the sideline. I’ve said things I thought were helping. I believed that if I pushed a little harder, corrected a little more, it would make my son better. But what I started to notice was different. Every time he made a mistake, he’d look over at me — instantly. His shoulders would tighten, his body language would change. And that’s when it hit me… he wasn’t thinking about the game anymore. He was thinking about me. I realized that my tone — even more than my words — could shrink his confidence or give him freedom. And at seven years old, he didn’t need a sideline critic. He needed a dad who believed in him, win or lose. Since stepping back, I’ve seen a different kid. He plays freely. He smiles more. He competes with joy again. And it reminded me that growth isn’t just about the players — it’s about us as parents too. We’re practicing right beside them. Learning patience, awareness, and connection. — Coach Lucas Love the Game Soccer https://www.skool.com/love-the-game-soccer-3915/about?ref=93886bacd2024f8d894bd2c4b75aaad3