5 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make That Crush Their Athlete’s Confidence

1. Overanalyzing every game. Let them breathe. Constant breakdowns make them feel like they’re never good enough, especially if you are doing deep dive analysis right after the game. I know one parent who would text his daughter during the first half of games and wanted her to read the text during halftime while in the locker room!

2. Comparing them to other players.  Every athlete develops at their own pace. They will get that "aha moment", the moment that it clicks, sooner than later based on the work they are putting in and the people they are surrounded by.

3. Reacting too emotionally during and after games.  Your energy sets the tone for how they handle success and failure.

4. Setting unrealistic expectations.  Not every kid will go pro in the game, but every kid can love the game and improve. They should approach the game with the attitude and work ethic that they are the best. What they will uncover is the best version of themselves. The beauty begins when everyone sees them applying that same approach to everything else in their lives.

5. Trying to remove all obstacles instead of teaching resilience.  Learning to handle adversity is part of their journey. You are absolutely a part of their journey but remember it is their journey. Equip them with as many tools as you can so when they need to apply those tools, they will have the confidence to try and navigate those obstacles to the best of their ability. Plus, they will know when to ask for help.

By recognizing these mistakes, you’re already on your way to supporting your athlete the right way.