Get your head in the game

Spring sports are just around the corner, which requires preparation and training for the mind as well as the body.

Youth sports have come a long way in the last few decades, with performance expectations rising as quickly as their price tags. As parents, it can be a challenge to balance your desire for your child to succeed with their physical and emotional ability to do so. Even the most talented athletes may struggle with emotional pressures from coaches, peers, parents — and themselves.

Whether your child is active in sports year-round or will be starting this spring, it’s wise to prepare for the mental and emotional demands on the field, court or track.

Respect limits | Everyone has a point at which they best perform, and a definite tipping point when things start to disintegrate. Talk to children about recognizing their own limits, physical or mental, that may play a role in their ability to play. Physical limits can include sleep and food requirements for optimal performance. Mental limits might be reached when a child’s homework load or other emotional concerns interfere with sports practice.

Set realistic expectations | Lean into a child or teen’s natural athletic gifts, but remember that’s only part of the equation. Talent is a great head start, but it is not the only route to success. Conversely, a child with a natural gift may not want to put in a lot of training. It’s important to have a conversation around realistic goals and then join activities and teams that are a good match.

Talk about losing | Everyone loves to win, but a good coach will also place importance on lessons learned, regardless of the final score. It’s important that children understand that improvement is the ultimate goal.

Watch for signs of trouble | It’s easy to spot physical sports injuries, but less so, the mental toll. If your teen’s mood or physical appearance changes drastically, it might be time to talk about body image issues or performance-related stress.

Have fun | If you have to drag your child to practice, they’re not having fun anymore. While the occasional groan is to be expected, repeated protests are a sign that your child might not want to pursue that sport or activity any longer. It’s okay for children to switch gears or take breaks. Have a talk with your child about their reluctance and find an active alternative, together.

Sports can play a fantastic role in developing a child’s self-confidence, but can cause undue stress if not kept in balance with other areas of their life. Managing the physical advantages of an active lifestyle with the emotional challenges of competition is key to making the most of a life of sport.

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