Having a Positive Attitude Toward Youth Sports

Children gain many benefits from playing their chosen sport. They may like getting a physical workout, improving their skills or enjoying the camaraderie of being on a team - all things we know are helpful for children’s mental health.

But being a student athlete may also add stress to a child’s life. They might feel constant pressure to win. They may doubt their abilities at times, especially if they compare themselves to the top players on their team or in their league. If they’re juggling sports and schoolwork, they may have time-management issues. These kinds of stressors can take a toll on their mental health.

To help student athletes continue to have an enjoyable experience as they get older, create a positive environment where they can thrive. This means finding ways to show your support for them in a healthy, positive way.

Getting Started

• Model positivity. Whether you’re coaching, sitting in the stands or driving to or from a game, let the student athlete see and hear you express yourself in positive ways. Clap and cheer for good effort and good sportsmanship for all athletes. Don’t talk poorly about the other team, boo referees or have arguments between parents and coaches. Children will notice your behavior.
• Create an action plan. Some adults become so emotionally invested in the game that they can’t help but become upset when the student athlete misses the ball or the other team scores. If that sounds like something you do, create a plan that will help you calm down before your emotions ramp up. Tune into your emotions, and when you’re starting to feel hostile or negative, put your plan into action. Deep breathing and/or practicing mindfulness – being present in the moment and observing without making judgments – may help those feelings pass.
• Take breaks as needed. When something happens during the game that makes your blood start to boil, take a self-prescribed time-out to calm down. Instead of staying put and expressing negative emotions that children may witness, take a stroll to the bathroom or snack bar. Give yourself a few minutes to decompress, and don’t return until the intense feelings have passed. If some time away keeps you from making outbursts, children will be better off for it.

Keep Perspective

Whether your team wins or loses, remind your student athlete (and yourself) that it’s just a game. It’s OK to feel passionate about what happens, but the true importance of student athletics isn’t the number of games in the “win” column, it’s being a team player, learning new skills and having fun.