Football Parents Resolutions for 2014 #4 Avoid Comparisons

#4 Avoid Comparisons: I’m surprised every season by the changes in players from one year to the next. Kids grow and mature at different rates and the team “superstar” one year is a support player the next. And vice versa. Compare a kid’s effort and attitude to where they were last year, last month, last week. But avoid any kitchen table comparisons to other players as a means of motivation. If they like the sport, allow them to develop at their own pace. This isn’t about coddling or “participation awards” but channeling kids’ focus to improving and competing against themselves…after all, even Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team but how did that work out?