If you’re points ahead, what a great time to give those kids that have been sitting on the bench the opportunity. Get them in there because you’re so far ahead that you know you get to win. Give them a chance to be a part of that win. Now, you not only told your other players that they wanted to be real team members because they didn’t have to shine all the time. It’s also giving their team members an opportunity to get it, and then it’s also giving the kid the opportunity to not just learn the game but to learn self-worth. Learn how to be a great team player and how to communicate effectively with your coaches. Give good body signs; body language in sports is huge. When teaching the kids, let them show that you want to be in the game. Regardless of what’s going on, whether the team is winning or losing, show the coach that your kid wants to be in the game.
One of the things that you might do is to take every opportunity to teach. If a kid was sitting there with their own head, you would call them up. You could actually almost use the method like another coach and say, “Okay, what’s happening in the game right now? Tell me why he did that. Why do we move that keep from outfield to left? You would use them and get your head in the game, versus just sitting there and spectating. You could teach constantly. Help your players always be a part of the game. Helping them get into the game and teaching opportunities doesn’t always mean you’re putting them in the game; it could also mean that you’re teaching them while they are side by side with you. What a joy it was for some of these kids to feel like, “I’m standing next to my coach, and he is asking me.”
Listen to the full episode here:
ReDefine Parenting: Why Sport Coaches Are Killing Our Kids’ Self Worth | w/ Jessy Rodriguez-Melendez
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