As a parent, it is very rewarding to see our children’s efforts and sacrifices finally pay off by winning and performing great in their favorite sport. Watching them enjoy and excel at the same time is probably one of the most memorable things that we will treasure of their childhood.
But playing a sport is not always about winning. It also involves losing, learning from past mistakes, and moving forward. Sometimes we see our children fail to deliver in actual games even after putting countless hours into practice. Getting into complicated sports such as hockey can also be physically and mentally demanding to your kids. The most common cause of under-performing in young athletes is the lack of confidence when playing in real games. The good news is that getting jitters during the game is normal for beginners, regardless of age. With a lot of patience and willpower, you can build your child’s confidence in no time. Check out these four useful tips on how you can guide your child to start playing hockey with confidence. Who knows? Your child might just be the next hockey star player.
1. Let your child enjoy the game.
Whether it is a regular training or an actual hockey game, just allow your children play freely without making them worried about their performances. Training is an important part of developing every young athlete not just to master the fundamental skills but also to teach them the value of hard work and a great work ethic. But don’t let your child focus too much on the drills that they had in practice. Instead, tell them to trust their own abilities and instincts and just enjoy in real games.
As parents, we also worry about our children’s safety especially if they play physical sports such as hockey. The good thing is that we can minimize the risk of injuries and improve their performance by providing them the proper hockey gears and equipment. Check out the best field hockey review site for more information.
2. Avoid comparing to others.
As much as we want our children to be at par with the best young athletes out there, we should prevent them from comparing themselves to others. Intimidation can sometimes impair their ability to concentrate in the game. Let them know about their strengths and help them improve on those aspects. Tell them that everybody is of equal ability in the game and that the team with more discipline and willpower is the one who can win games.
3. Make constructive criticisms.
Instead of pointing out their failures and wrong actions, give them the viable options that will help them improve the next time around. If they can’t keep a solid stance, for example, don’t just tell them that their sense of balance is atrocious. Tell them to adjust and to keep their positions low so they are more difficult to get knocked off by opponents.
4. Take advantage of opportunities.
Do not confine your child to short training classes. If you see their enthusiasm in playing the sport, then enroll them in long-term hockey programs to develop their true potential. Otherwise, let them discover their own path and provide them with all the support that you can give.
