Adults, especially parents, have a tremendous impact on how children will engage in sports. Below are seven simple guidelines for sports parents to take on board with young athletes.

7 Simple Guidelines for Sports Parents & Adults:

1. Sport should be fun for kids.
Treat sport as a game - it’s not a business for kids. With all the money in professional sports today, it is hard for parents to understand that it’s just good fun to young athletes. The primary goal should be to have fun and enjoy the healthy competition.

2. Your own agenda is not your child’s.
Young athletes compete in sports for many reasons. They enjoy the competition, like the social aspect, engage with being part of a team, and enjoy the challenge of setting goals. You might have a different agenda than your child and you need to recognize that your child’s choice around sport is theirs, not yours.

3. It's not all about winning.
Emphasise a focus on the process instead of results or trophies. We live in a society that focuses on results and winning, but winning comes from working on the process and enjoying the ride. Teach your child to focus on playing one shot, hit, or push at a time instead of the number of wins or trophies.

4. You are a role model for your child athlete.
As such, you should model composure and poise on the sidelines. When you are at competition, your child mimics your behaviour as well as other role models. You become a role model in how you react to a close game or the questionable behaviour of a competitor. Stay calm, composed, and in control during games so your child superstar can mimic those positive behaviours.

5. Refrain from game-time coaching.
During competition, it’s time to just let them play. All the practice should be set aside because this is the time that athletes need trust in the training and react on the field. “Just do it” as the saying goes. Too much coaching (or over-coaching) can lead to mistakes and cautious performance (often referred to as paralysis by over analysis). Save the coaching for practice and use encouragement at game time instead.

6. Help your child to detach self-esteem from achievement.
Too many athletes attach self-worth to the level of performance or outcomes. Help your child understand that they are a person FIRST who happens to be an athlete instead of an athlete who happens to be a person. Success or number of wins should not determine a person’s self-esteem.

7. Ask the right questions.
Asking the right questions after competition and games will tell your child what you think is important in sports. If you ask, “Did you win?” your child will think winning is important. If you ask, “Did you have fun?” he or she will assume having fun is important.