It is important to be supportive and respectful, not only of your
child, but also of the others on the team and of the coaches. As a
parent, you have the power to help shape your youth athlete’s attitude
about sports.
It’s natural to get excited when watching your child compete but it
is important to keep your emotions in check on the big day. Here are
some tips to help you:
- Be supportive before the competition even starts. Tell your
youth athlete you are proud of him/her, regardless of how well he/she
plays.
- Remind them that it’s normal to be nervous and to have fun even when playing hard.
- Let the coaches coach; avoid instructing your child or other players from the sidelines.
- Cheer for good plays and great efforts by both teams.
- When the match ends, set a good example for your child by
thanking the officials, coaches, teammates and opposing teams for their
efforts.
After following these guidelines, go ahead and give yourself a pat on
the back! And know that your support role doesn't end there.
Consider these three tips when talking with your children after they compete:
- Talk only when your child is ready. If your youth athlete wants
to talk about the match, he/she will bring it up, maybe even on the ride
home. If it seems like he/she doesn't feel like talking, respect that.
Pushing your child to discuss a match, play-by-play, especially if
he/she did not perform well, may turn them off sports and decrease
his/her desire to share his/her thoughts with you or ask your opinion.
- Ask open-ended questions. Once the conversation begins, keep it
going by asking questions your child can't answer with a simple "yes" or
"no." For example, ask, “What did you think was your team’s best play
of the game?” and "How did you feel about the close call at first base?"
- Listen carefully. If you're experienced in the sport your child
plays, it might be tempting to jump in and share your own stories as
they are telling theirs. Be patient; make a conscious effort to listen
to what they have to say about their experience. Let your youth athlete
take control of the conversation, help them process their thoughts and
emotions, and then determine whether or not there's a life lesson you
can impart.
Be positive. Remind your child that you are proud of them, especially when the outcome doesn't go their way.
When you support your child before and during a match, and
communicate with them effectively after the match, they will not only
have a strong mental attitude, but they will also be more coachable,
optimistic, and better able to handle the inevitable losses that are
part of the youth sports experience.
For more advice and resources to help promote sportsmanship and a more positive youth sports experience to your kids, visit PlayPositive.com.
At Liberty Mutual Insurance,
we constantly look for ways to celebrate the countless acts of
sportsmanship and integrity shown by people every day. We created Play Positive™, powered by Positive Coaching Alliance,
as part of this belief to help ensure that our kids experience the best
that sports have to offer in environments that promote and display good
sportsmanship. We believe kids can learn valuable life lessons when
coaches and parents come together to support winning on and off the mat.
In an effort to benefit millions of youth athletes, parents and
coaches, this article is among a series created exclusively for partners
in the Liberty Mutual Insurance Play Positive™ program powered by Positive Coaching Alliance.
©2014 Liberty Mutual Insurance and Positive Coaching Alliance.
All rights reserved. This material may not be distributed without
express written permission. Any reproduction in whole or part by and
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infringement to the full extent of the law.