Is Your Childs Relationship with Sports Healthy?

Many elite athletes, from Tiger Woods to the Williams sisters and Wayne Gretzky, began their paths to greatness in childhood. As a parent, seeing your child thrive in a sport may spark thoughts: Are they destined for greatness?

This contemplation often brings up additional concerns. Are they under excessive pressure to perform? Are they training too hard and feeling anxious, or do they struggle with self-confidence?

Rebecca Soni and Caroline Burckle, both seasoned Olympians, have navigated similar challenges throughout their competitive swimming careers. They understand that the journey to success can be fraught with obstacles for young athletes, particularly when balancing academics and rigorous training schedules.

This understanding led them to establish RISE Athletes in 2015.

Achieving New Heights

RISE Athletes connects young sports enthusiasts with Olympian mentors, enhancing their training experiences beyond traditional coaching settings, such as in schools.

Each participant is carefully paired with a mentor based on various factors, including their preferred learning style, personality traits, and aspirations. Often, they are matched with Olympians who excel in their respective sports.

The mentoring takes place weekly through RISE’s online platform. Both the young athlete and the mentor log in to their dashboard, find their scheduled session, and simply click “join now” to initiate a video link.

RISE’s mission centers on fostering self-awareness in young athletes and equipping them to cope with anxiety. Additionally, a nutrition specialist is available to assist youth in managing their dietary needs.

Soni emphasizes, “Having been Olympians ourselves, we understand the intense pressures that athletes, particularly at high school and college levels, face. There’s a distinct difference between participating in sports for fun, physical fitness, and personal growth versus feeling compelled to perform well due to external pressures, which can lead to anxiety and depression.”

RISE aims to strike a balance—creating an environment where athletes can reap the benefits of an active lifestyle and pursue their sporting ambitions without becoming overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed.

Supporting Young Athletes

Every athlete’s situation is different, but Burckle identifies common indicators that suggest an athlete may be feeling negatively about their sport. These signals can include expressions of dissatisfaction or frequent self-comparisons with peers, as well as signs of fear, resentment, or unhappiness.

“Doubts are a natural part of the experience, so it’s vital to acknowledge that their feelings are valid,” Burckle advises. “Ongoing communication with you, the parents, is crucial so that the athlete feels comfortable discussing any negative sentiments.”

RISE offers a complimentary guide for parents containing actionable strategies for dealing with such scenarios (visit rise-athletes.com and click “Get the E-book”).

Key recommendations include being mindful of language when praising your young athlete. Instead of saying “You’re the best,” which is focused on ego, emphasize the actions or strategies that contribute to their success. An example could be: “You did a fantastic job passing the ball to Jen by using the inside of your right foot, planting your left foot, and maintaining excellent follow-through.”

Another important aspect for parents is to avoid comparing their child’s performance with that of other athletes. Children of the same age may be at vastly different stages of growth and development, making comparisons misleading and potentially confusing for your child.

If issues arise between your athlete and their coach, Burckle advocates for effective communication. Start by documenting the situation from both the athlete’s and coach’s perspectives. Identify common ground and discrepancies, and promote healthy discussions with the coach in a non-confrontational manner. Meetings outside of practice can lead to productive outcomes.

“This form of communication fosters self-awareness, which is incredibly empowering for the athlete,” states Soni.

Four Essential Principles for Athletes

For young sportspeople balancing academic demands and vigorous training schedules—often feeling stressed or overwhelmed—Rebecca Soni and Caroline Burckle suggest four guiding principles to keep in mind.

Awareness. Find balance by structuring your time effectively, ensuring you incorporate adequate rest and recovery alongside your training efforts.

Sleep. Prioritize rest over late-night study sessions; consider getting a full night’s sleep and waking up early to tackle schoolwork with a clear mind.

Community. Focus on your current surroundings and the people around you; while others’ achievements are impressive, your current endeavors are equally significant. Engage with your local community to enhance enjoyment in your activities.

Grace. Allow yourself a break when feeling overwhelmed or unwell. Athletes frequently neglect their physical needs; hence, giving yourself permission to rest and recuperate can lead to notable accomplishments.

Is Parental Engagement a Factor?

Your well-being is important too! Managing your child’s sports commitments while neglecting your fitness can lead to a lack of personal activity. Even a small daily commitment to fitness can be beneficial. Here are some suggestions:

• Display a picture of an athlete who inspires you prominently at home for daily motivation.
• When transporting your child to practice, consider parking farther away to incorporate a longer walk.
• Consider finding a workout partner who can encourage you, especially on days when you lack motivation.
• Schedule your exercise sessions as you would a work meeting—no one needs to know that your lunch hour is actually reserved for a BodyPump class!