1. It’s about them. Let them make their own choices, both good and bad.
2. Never talk to a coach about your child’s play time. You should have your kid do that and then that should be at the appropriate time.
3. And never complain to your child or others about their playing time. Maybe they aren’t putting forth maximum effort at practice. Maybe they aren’t being coachable. Maybe not a good teammate. Maybe they don’t do little things that add up. Or maybe there are more productive players ahead of them right now. Lack of playing time isn’t a death sentence. Encourage them to grow their game, to work on being a good teammate and being ready if and when their time comes.
4. Limit your complaining to officials and never yell names or insults at them. Athletes are at their best when they focus on what they can control. When they see their parents yelling, it increases the chances they will focus on the refs.
5. Do NOT coach your kid from the sideline. Your job is to be a cheerleader. Even if you know exactly what needs to be done, it only confuses the athlete to hear additional stimuli especially if it is in opposition to the coach.
The best coach in the world could have the best game plan designed but if all players aren’t buying in it will be less successful than one where a bad coach with a bad game plan but the players are bought in.
6. If you are losing your mind on the sideline of game, it’s time to get perspective. Sports while they may lead to scholarships and careers are about having fun, being competitive and learning teamwork. When you allow your athlete to focus on those things, they will be more successful.
Tami Matheny is a Mental Game Coach and Author of “The Confident Athlete: 4 Easy Steps to Build and Maintain Confidence”. She owns and runs, Refuse2LoseCoaching which provides mental coaching for athletes and teams at all levels. Follow her on twitter @r2lcoaching and Instagram @refuse2losecoaching.
For more information about “The Confident Athlete” visit: hhttps://r2lc.com/the-confident-athlete-4-easy-steps-to-build-and-maintain-confidence/. It can be purchased online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. For group discounts contact tami@r2l.mysites.io
For daily confidence tips, follow “The Confident Athlete” on twitter @tamimatheny and sign up for the monthly confidence calendar: https://r2lc.com/monthly-confidence-calendar-newsletter/