Video Coaching Tips for Youth Sports Parents
Parents: You want to help your athlete improve. You're at every game. You're their biggest supporter.
Video can be a powerful learning tool - when used correctly.
Here's how to use video feedback to support your athlete's development without overcoaching or undermining their coach.
Your Role as the Parent
You Are NOT the Coach
Let the coach coach. Your job is different:
- Emotional support: "You played hard today."
- Logistical support: Getting them to practice on time
- Learning support: Helping them review what their COACH taught
Don't contradict the coach's teaching. This confuses your athlete.
You ARE the Video Capture Crew
Most coaches can't film every game from the perfect angle while coaching.
You can. That's your superpower.
How to Film Games Effectively
Equipment: Your Phone is Fine
No need for expensive cameras. Your smartphone works perfectly.
Positioning
For most sports: Get an elevated angle from the side if possible.
Wrestling/MMA: As close to mat-level as safely possible
Football: From the side, elevated view
Baseball: Behind home plate or from 1st/3rd base side
Basketball/Soccer: Elevated side view, try to see full court/field
Keep It Steady
- Bring a small tripod or monopod ($20-30)
- Rest your phone on the railing
- Use both hands
- Don't zoom in and out constantly
Steady footage > shaky zoomed-in footage.
Film the Whole Play
Don't try to follow just your kid. Film wide enough to see:
- What happens before the play
- What happens during
- What happens after
Context matters for learning.
What to Look For (Without Overcoaching)
Watch for Patterns, Not One-Time Plays
One missed tackle? Could be a fluke.
Three missed tackles with the same form? That's something to mention to the coach.
Focus on Effort and Attitude
Things YOU can praise without technical coaching:
- "You hustled back on defense every time."
- "I loved your energy on the sideline."
- "You stayed positive even when things were tough."
Notice What the Coach is Teaching
Coach says: "This week we're working on keeping hands up in wrestling."
You watch for: Does your athlete keep their hands up?
Don't teach NEW concepts. Reinforce what the COACH taught.
How to Review Video with Your Athlete
Rule #1: Make It Positive
Video review should NOT be a critique session.
Bad: "Look at all these mistakes you made."
Good: "Let's watch your best plays. And let's see what Coach said to work on."
Rule #2: Keep It Short
Young athletes have short attention spans.
5-10 minutes max. Pick 2-3 moments to watch.
Rule #3: Ask Questions, Don't Lecture
Bad: "You need to keep your hands up. You keep dropping them."
Good: "Coach said to keep hands up this week. What do you see here?"
Let them self-identify. It sticks better.
Rule #4: Focus on One Thing
Don't try to fix everything.
Pick ONE thing the coach emphasized. Focus on that.
When Your Athlete Has a Bad Game
They Know
They know they played poorly. They don't need you to rehash it.
Give Them Space
Some kids want to talk right away. Some need time.
"Do you want to talk about it, or do you need some space?"
Let them lead.
Watch Video Later (If They Want To)
Don't force it. If they're ready:
"Want to watch a few plays together? We can see what Coach was talking about."
Focus on:
- 1-2 good moments (there are ALWAYS good moments)
- 1 thing to work on for next game
Supporting Your Athlete Between Games
Share the Coach's Video Feedback
If the coach uses video feedback (like Coach Feedback), athletes get notifications.
Your job: "Did you watch Coach's feedback yet? What did he say to work on?"
Help Them Practice at Home
Coach says: "Work on your footwork this week."
You: "Want to run through that footwork drill Coach showed you?"
You're reinforcing, not teaching new concepts.
Don't Become the "Car Ride Coach"
The car ride home is NOT the time for deep technical feedback.
Save it for later when emotions aren't high.
Red Flags: When Parents Hurt More Than Help
Over-Coaching
Teaching concepts that contradict the coach's instruction.
Example: Coach teaches one shooting form. Parent teaches a different one.
Result: Confused, frustrated athlete.
Living Vicariously
Making the sport about YOUR experience, not theirs.
"When I played, I..." - Stop. This isn't about you.
Negative Focus
Constantly pointing out mistakes. Never celebrating success.
Result: Burned out, anxious athlete who quits the sport.
Pressure and Expectations
"You need to score 20 points today."
"College scouts might be watching."
Result: Paralyzed athlete who can't perform under pressure.
How to Work WITH the Coach
Communicate Respectfully
If you notice something consistently on video:
Bad: "You're not coaching my kid right."
Good: "I noticed Johnny keeps dropping his hands. Is that something we should work on at home?"
Share Video (If Helpful)
Got great footage from a tournament? Offer to share it.
"Coach, I filmed all the matches Saturday. Would you like me to send them to you?"
Many coaches appreciate extra angles or games they couldn't attend.
Trust the Process
Coaches see the big picture. You see your one athlete.
Trust that the coach knows what they're doing.
Using Technology to Help
Organized Video Storage
Don't let footage sit randomly in your camera roll.
Use an app (like Coach Feedback) where:
- All game footage is organized
- Coach can add feedback
- Your athlete can review anytime
Share Highlights for Recruiting
High school athletes need highlight reels for college recruiting.
Help them collect and organize their best clips.
Real Parent Success Story
The Problem:
Parent filming games. Footage sitting unused on phone. Athlete not improving as fast as they could.
The Solution:
Parent shared footage with coach. Coach added timestamped feedback using Coach Feedback.
Athlete watched coach's feedback before practice each week. Came prepared. Improved faster.
The Result:
Parent felt helpful (not helpless). Coach appreciated the support. Athlete improved.
Everyone wins when parents support the coaching, not replace it.
Conclusion
Parents: You have a critical role in your athlete's development.
Your job is to:
- Film games
- Provide emotional support
- Help reinforce what the COACH teaches
- Make sure they watch the coach's feedback
- Celebrate effort and progress
Your job is NOT to:
- Contradict the coach
- Over-analyze technique
- Critique every play
- Add pressure
Video is a powerful tool when used correctly. Help your athlete learn. Support the coach's teaching. Celebrate the journey.
That's how young athletes thrive.
Help your athlete improve:
→ Download Coach Feedback
→ Learn More
Film games. Coach adds feedback. Athletes watch and improve.
Athletes use it completely FREE.
Record. Review. Improve.