Tryouts are here! Supporting your athlete through tryouts and the entire season can be an exhilarating, emotional rollercoaster. Remember, your role in creating a positive and supportive environment is crucial to their experience. Let’s explore how you can be their biggest fan.
By Sarah Rogue
Create a Positive Atmosphere
- Be Their Biggest Fan: Your enthusiasm is contagious. Offer encouraging words and let your child know you believe in their abilities.
- Manage Your Own Emotions: Try to stay calm and collected. Your child can sense your anxiety, so projecting a positive and supportive demeanor is essential.
- Focus on Effort, Not Outcome: Emphasize the importance of giving their best effort and enjoying the process. Remind them that making the team (or a specific team) isn’t the only measure of success.
Be Their Cheerleader, Not Their Coach
One of the most important roles you can play is to be your child’s biggest fan. Cheer from the sidelines, offer words of encouragement, and celebrate their accomplishments. However, it’s crucial to resist the urge to provide excessive coaching or advice. Let the coaches handle the technical aspects of the sport. Your child needs to learn to rely on their own skills and decision-making abilities. Trust in their abilities and let them shine.
Communicate Effectively
- Open Dialogue: Create an open space for your child to share their feelings, fears, and expectations. Listen actively without judgment and offer reassurance.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Discuss the possibility of both making and not making the team. Help your child understand that sports are competitive and that setbacks are a normal part of the process.
Prioritize Physical and Mental Well-being
- Ensure Rest and Nutrition: Adequate sleep and a balanced diet are crucial for optimal performance. Encourage healthy habits leading up to tryouts.
- Manage Stress: Help your child develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress. Encourage relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
Remember…
Your role is to be a supportive parent, not a coach. Allow your child to experience the tryout process independently. Trust in their abilities and let them shine.
Strive to create a positive and supportive environment that empowers your child to perform their best through tryouts and the entire season. Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the journey and celebrate their growth as an athlete.
OC Sports Performance is a metrics based, results driven gym in Bend, Oregon. We have been training middle school, high school and college athletes since 2012.
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