When it comes to coaching young ones in sports, there is always one constant thing that comes up; role of parents. The role of parents in motivating the student-athlete has been a major topic of discussion among coaches and mentors. At what point should the parent’s involvement start or end? Do parents have a role in encouraging better performance of the student-athlete?

Parenting Motivation Gone Wrong

Any leadership trainer involved in mentoring young athletes will tell you this; as much as you are the trying to improve the performance of your lovely child, your input must unite with the advice given by the coaches.

Some kids will complain they feel inadequate in their parents’ eyes while others will point out the conflict between the coach’s advice and that you are giving. Other student-athletes complain about getting blackballed by their colleagues when as a parent you constantly interrupt their program.

What to Say and Do When Your Child Performs

First you need to change your role. When your child was younger, you played the role of a supervisor overseeing everything. As the student-athlete develops, you need to step back and become a consultant, supportive but allowing the kid to grow on their own. You should support but let go lest you stunt their growth.

Magic Words to Motivate Your Kids

Whether in recitals, theatrical plays or field sports, these words work magic in motivating your kid:

  • Before the action: Tell them to have fun, emphasize you love them and tell them to play hard.
  • After the action: Tell them you are proud irrespective of the results, reiterate you love them and ask whether they had fun.

“I Love to watch you Play”

After decades working with student-athletes and researching Bruce E. Brown and Rob Miller of Proactive Coaching LLC summarized what makes a nightmare sports parent and a great one. In their conclusion they found that these six words are what every young athlete wants to hear from their parents. “I love to watch you play” That is all you have to say to empower your kid to enjoy the sport. Quite liberating for every parent, isn’t it?