Encouraging Sports Kids without Pressuring Them

Just how can sports parents encourage kids to take part in sports
and support them—without pressuring them?

That's a good question, and the answers are not so obvious. Read
on to get tips from Olympic fencer Tim Morehouse, who says his
parents knew just how to support him as he grew into an Olympic
athlete.

"I was very fortunate," he says. "My parents encouraged me to do
different things that I loved.”

The key, when kids are very young, he says, is to start slowly.

"When your kids are first trying a sport out, make sure they have
enough time to try it out and enjoy it. In the beginning, I
didn't like fencing. Over time, I realized I loved it.”

Starting slowly also means playing once a week or so, he says.
Too often, kids start playing two or three times a week. That's
too often, in his opinion. "See how it goes, evaluate it. After
three months, decide if you want to add practices.”

If your child enjoys the sport, it's a good idea to focus on the
importance of working hard. But that doesn't mean micro-managing
your child's experience, he says. That's where the delicate
balance between supporting and pressuring comes in.

"My parents encouraged me to work hard," he says. At the same
time, they wanted him to develop his own passions. For example,
he started out as a baseball player, then switched to fencing.
When he decided to switch, they supported him 100%.

Micro-managing, on the other hand, would involve attending kids'
games and yelling at them, Morehouse says.

Here at Kids' Sports Psychology, we agree that parents have to
strike a balance between pressuring their kids and supporting
them. We've got lots of additional tips for parents who aim to
support without pushing.

For example, you should set high, yet attainable goals for your
kids and offer them opportunities to fulfill their potential.

Focus on small improvements. For example, golfers can learn
simple tasks like keeping their heads down while putting. These
small improvements will help kids feel successful.

Want to learn more about how to motivate kids without pressuring
them?

At Kids' Sports Psychology, we suggest your check out this e-book:
"Motivate Young Athletes in Sports and Life." If you're already
an exclusive Kids' Sports Psychology member, you can download the
e-book for free.

Here's what people are saying about Kids' Sports Psychology:

"Using resources from the Kids' Sports Psychology website,
especially the worksheets, my son became much calmer and more
focused during competitions. He was able to perform instead of
worrying what others thought or what others were scoring."
~Sports Mom

Learn how to encourage your kids in sports without pressuring
them:

http://www.kidssportspsychology.com/

Sincerely,

Lisa Cohn and Patrick Cohn, Ph.D.

P.S. If you're an exclusive Kids' Sports Psychology, visit this
page to access our e-book about positive motivation for kids:

http://www.kidssportspsychology.com/members/267.