Championing Your Young Athlete: Ways to Support Your Kids at Their Sporting Events

For years, we’ve watched as parents get crazier and more out of control on the sidelines at youth sporting events. Expectedly, that means we’re seeing that trickle into the fields and courts the kids are playing on making sportsmanship a big concern in the battle to have youth sports provide a healthy and safe environment for kids to learn and grow as people.

In a recent survey by Liberty Mutual Insurance, it furthered the idea that parents are responsible for the degradation of sportsmanship in youth sports. This survey found that 55 percent of coaches have experienced parents yelling negatively at officials or their own kids, and two in five have experienced parents yelling negatively at other kids. As parents, our support and encouragement plays a crucial role in our children’s athletic journey and maybe we can meaningfully change the direction of youth sports. Here are some meaningful ways to support your kids at their sporting events and help them thrive both on and off the field:

1. Be Their Biggest Cheerleader: One of the simplest yet most impactful ways to support your child at their sporting events is to be their biggest cheerleader. Cheer loudly, clap enthusiastically, and show your unwavering support for your child and their team. Your positive energy and encouragement from the sidelines can boost their confidence and motivate them to perform their best. Be loudly positive in cheering their efforts. Perhaps the loudest way to cheer your ballers on is with a big head basketball on a stick.
2. Respect the Officials and Opponents: Teach your child the importance of sportsmanship by modeling respectful behavior towards officials, coaches, and opponents. Avoid yelling at referees or criticizing the other team, and instead focus on cheering for your child and their teammates in a positive and respectful manner. Remember, sportsmanship is about treating everyone involved with respect, regardless of the outcome.
3. Provide Emotional Support: Competing in sports can be emotionally challenging for kids, especially when they face setbacks or disappointments. Be there for your child as a source of comfort and support, whether they win, lose, or draw. Offer words of encouragement, validate their feelings, and remind them that you’re proud of their efforts and achievements, no matter the outcome.
4. Offer Constructive Feedback: While it’s important to be supportive, it’s also helpful to offer constructive feedback to your child after their sporting events. Focus on specific aspects of their performance that they can work on and improve, rather than simply praising or criticizing their overall performance. Offer encouragement and guidance on how they can learn from their experiences and continue to grow as athletes.
5. Celebrate Their Achievements: Whether it’s a game-winning goal, a personal best time, or simply showing good sportsmanship, celebrate your child’s achievements both big and small. Recognize their hard work, dedication, and progress, and let them know how proud you are of their accomplishments. Celebrating their successes reinforces their confidence and motivates them to keep striving for greatness.
6. Create a Positive Environment: Help create a positive and supportive environment for your child’s sporting events by being mindful of your words and actions. Avoid putting too much pressure on your child to perform or criticizing their mistakes during the game. Instead, focus on fostering a love of the game, promoting teamwork, and encouraging a growth mindset.
7. Stay Involved and Engaged: Show your child that you value their participation in sports by staying involved and engaged in their athletic pursuits. Attend their games, practices, and team events whenever possible, and take an active interest in their progress and experiences. By showing up and being present, you demonstrate your commitment to supporting your child in their athletic endeavors.
8. Provide Practical Support: In addition to emotional support, offer practical support to help your child prepare for their sporting events. This may include ensuring they have the necessary equipment and attire, providing transportation to and from practices and games, and helping them stay hydrated and nourished on game day.
9. Encourage Balance and Perspective: While sports are an important part of your child’s life, it’s essential to encourage balance and perspective. Remind your child that winning isn’t everything and that the most important thing is to have fun, stay active, and learn valuable life lessons through sports. Encourage them to pursue other interests outside of sports and to prioritize their physical and mental well-being.
10. Lead by Example: As a parent, you are your child’s first and most influential role model. Lead by example by demonstrating good sportsmanship, resilience, and perseverance in your own life. Show your child the importance of hard work, dedication, and integrity, both on and off the field, and inspire them to strive for excellence in everything they do.

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