Strategies For Building Confidence in Young Athletes
There’s a reason Mark Lawton, longtime coach and teacher, takes his team to the championship level…
He focuses on building a team culture that boosts kids’ confidence.
When we spoke to him recently, he gave us some quick tips for both parents and coaches.
First of all, parents should find a coach who is interested in their kids as people.
“One of the first things I do, first week, is start having individual meetings with each player. I ask the players about their favorite books or movies, and try to get to know them. I write down what I learn in a notebook,” says Lawton, who gives tips at www.CoachingTips.guru.
He does this by pulling kids aside during practice or talking to them on the bus on the way to games.
“You want them to know that their coach is interested in them as people,” he says.
This makes them feel more comfortable, and as a result, more confident.
Second, look for a coach who takes the pressure off kids, especially those who are enrolled in highly academic schools.
Lawton gives kids two tickets to miss practice.
“I give them two tickets, but they have to tell me the day before,” he says. “The kids love it. They know they have the tickets in their back pockets. This works especially well for academic schools or if kids are doing college visits.”
Third, parents shouldn’t create triangles among kids, coaches and parents, Lawton says.
“It works best if there is a direct line to the coach.”
But unfortunately, some parents will talk to their kids about their complaints, rather than going directly to the coach. Kids feel more comfortable— and confident —if the parent is behind the coach.
Fourth, look for coaches who boost kids’ confidence by having only a few team rules.
“If you have a lot of rules, it creates a lot of anxiety in the kids,” says Lawton. “Kids worry, ‘If I’m late for practice, I don’t get to play in the next game.’ I tell kids, ‘Be at practice on time and if not, tell me why.'”
If the math teacher made them stay after school, Lawton is not going to take it out on the player.
“If there are lots of rules you have to enforce and have a judicial system inside kids’ head, kids get nervous.”
Coaches should keep it simple for the kids to help them feel more confident.
Related Articles on Youth Sports:
- Building Confidence in Young Athletes
- Fragile Confidence in Young Athletes
- Helping Young Athletes Build Connection and Confidence
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