re: YOUTH SPORTS

It brought up something inside of me that I think about every single day. The same feelings that lead me to start my company. We have a SERIOUS problem in youth sports!!

 

There are reasons, circumstances, experiences, happenings that cause a young athlete to not love playing anymore. It's not fun, it's not enjoyable, too much pressure, they got screamed at, they experience anxiety, they are afraid to let somebody down. The list goes on for days!!

 

So we have this old school philosophy of they need to toughen up because back when I played, then we have the new school philosophy of we need to cater to their needs and make them feel good.

The truth is neither are the answer. Just like everything else in life there has to be a balance. As athletes get older it's a must that they grow and develop. But we are continually seeing more struggles, more negative experiences and less fun in the youth sports. So, the question we have to ask ourselves is what is happening?

 

More truth!! Youth clubs, coaches and parents are programing our athletes to train, train harder, focus, be more focused, compete, compete harder. Why didn't you jump higher? Why didn't you run faster? And all of this goes on without them really being taught what any of it means.

 

You get it!! I've been a part of the problem and you probably have too. The system is unintentionally joysticking and failing a large percentage of our young athletes. And it's not fun!! It's not enjoyable!!

 

Quick pause: I'm not talking about everyone. There are a ton of great coaches, parents and organizations out there doing it right. I'm simply addressing the overarching problem of youth sports.

 

Back to my point: I woke up yesterday and on my desk were two sheets of paper (pic attached). My 12 year old daughter put these on my desk and asked me to check them out.

 

You know what's interesting? She's having a really tough season. A ton of things aren't going her way and it's not new to her. What's getting her through? She is using mindset training to control her choices, her attitude and her effort.

 

Teachers, coaches, organizational leaders and parents hear me out!! Why? Because at some point your athlete or a young person you are close to is going to find their struggle in life that affects their sport or a struggle in their sport that affects their life.

 

Our young athletes need to be taught. They need to understand the why. They need expectations and accountability to those expectations. They need someone genuine in front of them that they know loves them and wants the best for them. They need the message delivered to them not told to them. They thirst for it!!

 

When they receive the above they are able to connect hard work with fun. They are able to connect adversity with perseverance. And they are able to connect competition with enjoyment.

 

Just a heads up to all of you youth coaches and parents out there. It's real easy to collect individuals that have natural ability and go win games at a young age. The sad part about that is more times than not the young athletes with stand out natural ability suffer more than the kids that aren't even given an opportunity (trust me those kids that care and aren't given the opportunity really do suffer).

 

Why you ask? Different expectations. They get led to believe they are better. Then they aren't taught and when they finally get to a higher level coach they struggle listening. Then at some point just their natural ability isn't even close to good enough anymore. I see it all of the time. And it's extremely sad!! There has to be the SAME expectations, the SAME accountability, the SAME treatment and the SAME love for every single athlete. Capeesh!!!!!!!

 

You know it's really hard for young athletes to understand team when it's constantly portrayed that it's about them and what they need to be doing individually. Sports are just like life, we need each other. If you are about yourself you can't be for yourself. If you are about yourself you can't give to the team.

 

So what can you do to help? Listen, show support, show love, be understanding, be a fan of fun and enjoyment. Young people don't need authority figures that call themselves leaders. They simply need figures that lead by action. Leaders that do what they say and say what they do. I had a great friend tell me that leadership is an action, not a position. So true!!

 

Be a part of the shift!! Understand the importance of mindset growth and development when it comes to the performance of our young athletes in all areas of their life!! Make it fun again!! Help our young people find their passion & their purpose!! Make memories that last a lifetime!!

 

It isn't going to be easy!! Take the opportunity to embrace the challenge!!

 

#youthathletes #forthekids #teach #deliver #expectations #accountability #leadership #action #fun #enjoyment