Post-Game: Create space between a bad performance and
post-game life lessons. Let the sting
wear off before offering constructive ideas for improvement.
Too many times I see parents replaying their son’s
mistakes after a game before they even get to the car. Give it 24 hours before having that
conversation – the player will be less defensive and more receptive. Ask open-ended questions in areas the player
has control over and can improve upon like effort, attitude, intensity,
concentration, and being a good teammate.
You’ll notice that these conversations have nothing to
do with a sports-parent’s expertise on blocking and tackling – remember that coaches
coach and parents support. Be the
emotional backstop that creates confidence in the student-athlete to overcome
adversity. Adversity will show up again
and again in sports and later on in careers and personal lives. Shape the ability to say, “Hey, we knew this
bad outcome was a possibility. It
happened. So what. We’re moving forward.”
Having
these pre and post (season, tryout, game) routines is an effective way for
sports-parents to support student-athletes.
Get present; focus on
process-oriented goals, and control the controllables.More football parenting tips @ http://www.amazon.com/Zero-Offseason-Divorce-Sports-Insanely-ebook/dp/B00PLY51RW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418994275&sr=8-1&keywords=zero+offseason
