If Dad Says “Just Play Relaxed”, Why Does He Walk 100 Nervous Steps Every Possession?

Picture this: I’m on the court, ball in my hands, trying to look calm, breathing like I’m in a meditation class. Meanwhile, Dad on the sideline… step, step, step… he’s basically doing cardio. Put a smartwatch on him and it’ll count the game as a 10k run. Me: “Relax, just relax.”  Dad: boom-boom-boom across the gym, like a broken metronome.

Parents switch into FIFA live mode: they don’t play, but they feel everything. Their emotions are wilder than Netflix — except here, there’s no “pause” button.

So what happens? Steps, grimaces, hands in hair… the whole kit. They tell you “play relaxed” because that’s secretly how they wish they could feel if they were in your shoes.

Dad isn’t just a spectator. He’s a full-time bench athlete. And the nervous steps? That’s proof he cares.

Who do you think looks more stressed at games: parents or coaches? 👀