How to deal with an over bearing parent

So I reluctantly stepped forward to coach/manage my son's U8 team. It has taken me completely out of my comfort zone but we're three matches in and I have to say I'm loving it. I don't have an assistant yet so am doing the coaching and managing myself. This is all new to me and it's the first year the boys have played in a league so new to them as well. We've yet to win a game but we keep smiling and I ensure I encourage the boys to just have fun whatever the outcome. My issue is one of the dad's. Every match so far he stands on the sidelines shouting at the boys telling them what to do and where to stand. He is contradicting what I'm telling the boys and what I'm trying to encourage them to do during the match. Being a man his voice carries further than mine. This weekend he surpassed himself. After one of the quarters my team were standing on the pitch waiting for the other team so they could start the next quarter. This dad ducks under the respect line, runs onto the pitch and moves the boys to where he thinks they should be. It completely undermined me in front of the kids, parents, opposition and referee. My question is have you dealt with something similar and if so, how without causing a fall out? Any suggestions greatly received. Thanks. Gemma

Parents
  • This is where your club should also support you, that barrier is the respect barrier and he clearly needs reminding of this, Ask with the presence of someone else aswell to not do what he is doing and if it continues his child will come off the pitch 

    Sounds harsh but these parents need to be told 

    most likely a better way of saying what I’ve said but you get the gist 

Reply
  • This is where your club should also support you, that barrier is the respect barrier and he clearly needs reminding of this, Ask with the presence of someone else aswell to not do what he is doing and if it continues his child will come off the pitch 

    Sounds harsh but these parents need to be told 

    most likely a better way of saying what I’ve said but you get the gist 

Children
  • Thank you Trevor. I obviously didn't want to raise it at the time as it just makes me look unprofessional and it's not something the boys should witness. I will however have the awkward conversation with him on Wednesday after training. The boys' previous established coach will be there and I can ask him to be with me so the dad knows it's serious. He certainly wouldn't have done it if it was the established coach there and not me! Best of luck to you.