It doesn’t matter if you just started watching basketball or you’ve engaged in multiple G.O.A.T. debates—as a basketball parent, you want your child to have the best experience on the court. I’ve been playing basketball for 14 years and coaching for the past three. From both the perspective of a youth athlete and a coach, here’s the best advice for any parent looking to be a great basketball parent.

Let Your Athlete Explore

First off, it’s important for your athlete to try a variety of sports. Just because you watch the NBA every night and follow every team doesn’t mean your athlete will also love basketball. If your child doesn’t want to play basketball, then the worst thing you can do as a parent is force them to play it. Allow your child to play multiple sports throughout the years and gain an understanding of what they like and don’t like.

Find the Right Coach

If your athlete finds out that they love basketball, then the best thing you can do as a parent is to find them a coach. Whether it’s basketball camps or private coaching, coaches can bring out the best in athletes. Coaches can view your athlete’s tendencies, weaknesses, and areas of opportunity for improvement. Athletes Untapped makes it easy to find a coach. All you need to do is fill in your zip code and sport, and our website will find you the top coaches in your area!

Know When to Get a Private Coach

However, you should only get a private basketball coach when the time is right. If you have a 7-year-old who just picked up a basketball yesterday, then finding a private coach is a bad idea. When first starting out, it’s advised to find basketball camps or clinics. Your athlete can find kids their age with similar skill sets that coaches are experienced with helping. Private coaching is best for athletes who have a larger amount of experience and have a drive to improve at their sport. Once your athlete gets some experience under their belt, then consider heading over to Athletes Untapped, where we gather local, experienced coaches that can help your child improve.

Show Encouragement

It’s important to learn how to show encouragement to your athlete. The worst thing you can do as a parent is start talking about mistakes they made in the game as soon as the child sits down in the car. Celebrate their wins, and be there to comfort them when they lose. You can always look for areas your child can improve in, but don’t make it abundantly clear when they are in an emotional state after they lose. Don’t get antsy and swap coaches when things aren’t going well, as that will hinder your child’s long-term success. If it’s possible to stick with the same coach, then do it! A coach who understands your child will help them better than any new coach. Also, as a former basketball athlete, do not jump out of your seat and scream at the refs. This is incredibly embarrassing for us athletes and discourages us from playing the game.

Maintain Realistic Expectations

Basketball is a challenging sport, and to reach the highest levels of play requires a lot of talent, effort, drive, and a whole lot of luck. If your child wants to go pro, then great! However, have them set shorter-term, achievable goals that they can focus on first. If your child has a dream of playing in the NBA (like most kids), do not tell them it’s not possible. Let them have their dream, but help them create stepping stones.

Help Your Athlete Set Goals

Sit down and help your athlete create realistic, achievable goals. Maybe they want to play in the rec league, or maybe make a push to play JV or varsity. Find what goal they resonate with and help them set smaller, more achievable goals. If they can fulfill these goals, it will give them a sense of progress and lower the risk of burnout.

These five tips will help you become the best basketball parent you can be! If your child wants to become the best athlete they can be, then go to Athletes Untapped and find experienced coaches near you!