Every weekend across the country, thousands of parents stand on the touchline wanting exactly the same thing.

To help.

Whether it’s shouting “Pass!”, “Shoot!”, “Get rid!”, or simply offering encouragement, it usually comes from a good place. Parents invest huge amounts of time, money and emotion into their children’s football, and naturally they want to see them succeed.

But what if the constant stream of instructions is actually making it harder for children to play?

It’s a question that every grassroots club should consider.

When a child steps onto the pitch, they are already processing an incredible amount of information. They’re listening to their coach, watching the movement of teammates, tracking the opposition, judging the speed of the ball and making split-second decisions, often in an environment that feels exciting, challenging and sometimes overwhelming.

Then the touchline joins in.

One parent shouts “Pass!”

Another shouts “Drive forward!”

Someone else shouts “Shoot!”

Meanwhile, the coach is trying to communicate a completely different message.

For a young player, it quickly becomes information overload.

The result isn’t always that they ignore the adults. More often, they’re simply trying to process too much at once.

One of the most important skills children develop through football is decision-making. Every pass, tackle, shot and movement teaches them something. That learning only happens when they are given the freedom to make choices, make mistakes and discover solutions for themselves.

When adults constantly provide the answers, we unintentionally take those learning opportunities away.

Mistakes are not the opposite of development.

They are development.

Some of the world’s best players became exceptional because they were allowed to experiment, fail and try again without fear of criticism from the sidelines.

That doesn’t mean parents should stay silent throughout every match.

Positive encouragement can have a huge impact.

Cheering effort.

Applauding teamwork.

Recognising bravery.

Celebrating improvement.

These are the moments children remember long after the final whistle.

What they are less likely to remember positively are the repeated instructions, the frustration after mistakes or the disappointment they see on the faces of the adults they want to impress.

Grassroots football isn’t just about producing better footballers.

It’s about producing confident young people.

The confidence to make decisions.

The resilience to recover from mistakes.

The courage to try something difficult without worrying about failing.

Those qualities last far longer than any result on a Sunday morning.

Next weekend, before shouting another instruction from the touchline, ask yourself one simple question.

Is this helping my child play the game… or helping me feel involved?

Sometimes the most powerful thing a parent can do is simply smile, clap the effort and allow their child to enjoy the game.

Because long after children forget the score, they’ll remember how football made them feel.

And that’s something every adult has the power to influence. You’ve read what we think, now tell us what you think, either in the comment section below or on our social channels.