Comparisons
Patience: Allow
the athlete to develop at his or her own pace.
If they love to play, allow some breathing room and time to achieve
their potential. Help parents encourage
the athlete to stick with it rather than badgering them about what they can and
cannot do.
Self-Charting: Only
compare the youth athlete against where he or she was last game or last
season. Some kids are just supremely
gifted and it is unfair to compare the typical athlete against prodigies. Show the athlete tangible proof of
improvement. This isn’t about coddling; it’s about positive reinforcement and keeping kids invested so they receive the life lessons taught in team sports. The parents must be in lock-step with where they see the youth athlete’s current stage and future expectations for improvement.
Proof
of Concept: There’s
no better example of what’s possible than Michael Jordan. Cut from his high school basketball team, he
stayed with it to become the greatest athlete in history. Jordan was not the “chosen one” as a high
school sophomore. He was cut. Use examples of what’s possible through hard
work, discipline, and grit.
