Confidence When Trying New Youth Sports
Lisa here from Kids’ Sports Psychology and the Ultimate Sports Parent…
As a mom who played three sports, I’m very eager for my youngest, 5-year-old Michael, to play sports.
But I signed him up for a soccer team and was quickly disappointed.
He liked going to soccer practice, but only because he wanted to romp on the playground next to the field. He never once set foot on the soccer field.
In this case, what’s a sports-loving mother to do?
It’s hard, but the answer is to follow his lead.
He decided he wanted to take a gymnastics camp with a friend—not because he thought he liked gymnastics, but because he wanted to be with his friend.
But guess what? He discovered he loved gymnastics!
What’s next?
Do I sign him up for every possible gymnastics class in our town?
Do I buy a trampoline and set it up in our living room?
Do I remind him daily to practice his forward rolls?
No, no, no!
Again, it’s critical to follow his lead and do everything possible to build confidence in my young athlete.
Parents, here are a few tips for ensuring your young athletes continue to enjoy sports- once they’ve found a sport they enjoy.
- Don’t pressure them to practice, practice, and practice.
- Don’t over-coach them, i.e., constantly tell them how to play or practice.
- Do find positive things to say about their efforts.
- Do support their coaches by helping them when needed and avoiding saying negative things about them
- Let kids pursue their sport at their own pace; don’t push them to play or practice more than they want.
And keep in mind, the most important thing you can do for your young athletes is build their confidence.
Related Articles on Youth Sports:
- How This Sport Builds Confidence and Focus in Kids
- Addressing Anxiety, Mistakes and Low Confidence in Youth Sports
- How Elite Teams Can Hurt Kids’ Confidence
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