A player dribbles down the court to make another basket, but the opposing team comes back with their own three-pointer. Both teams go back and forth, racing neck-and-neck each leading the other until – stop. A man, apparently a father, is yelling profanity at an opposing player; the game must halt until he is escorted from the gymnasium.

Is this really necessary? Time and time again spectators, mostly parents, get so involved in their child’s game that they end up making a fool of themselves. And sometimes they’re unaware of how vulgar they may sound. It’s pride gone amok.

Come on people, these are not professionals. The whole point of high school sports is to teach young people kids sportsmanship but a lot of times it’s the spectators that need to be taught, not the athletes.

Martin Bagnasco, who teaches English here, is also a current referee for high school volleyball. “Everyone has a right to question a call, but please have some perspective; this is still high school. A lot of times it’s the parents who didn’t play sports when they were younger who are harder to deal with as a referee.”

It makes sense: parents are living vicariously through their kid’s sports lives because they themselves haven’t played, or maybe their glory days are over. Every parent wants their kid to do well in everything they do. But the child needs to grow up on their own and if the player wants more time on the field, then they address the coach not the parent.

Sports help students grow up and find their passion, but they can’t do that with helicopter parents. For those that haven’t heard the term, a helicopter parent is someone who hovers over their child constantly without leaving them space to make their own choices . High school student-athletes are at an age where they start to become more independent and confident, which they can’t do with their mom or dad constantly breathing down their neck.

Also, when an athlete is hurt in the game, naturally a parent would want to go help their child but shouldn’t.

“Parents should not come on the field if their kid is hurt,” Bagnasco said. “Parents, most of the time, are not certified and can actually make the situation worse.”

It’s actually quite confusing and even frustrating when someone tries to give commands that are different from the coach’s, especially when it is a parent telling their kid what to do. Naturally the child listens to the parent but when they’re in a game, leave them be and enjoy it because this is their time with the coach.

“We just need to remind parents, as well as ourselves why we are all here: to support (students),” said Tony Espinoza, athletic director.

Again, my goal isn’t to turn children against their parents. But a coach is like a father or mother away from home and their time is on the field.  They too have valuable lessons to teach, just like parents. Sometimes coaches can connect with kids in a way parents might not be able to. Here’s a bit of advice, reading the book “Being a Successful Athletic Parent,” could be a great learning experience for both parents and their student-athletes.