Keeping youth sports fun and pressure free

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Kids who play sports learn the benefits of working as a team, resilience, physical activity, and much more. Athletes at all ages can feel the pressure of being a good player, especially after a tough game or hard loss.

Margaret Canter is a Clinical Psychologist in the Department of Pediatrics at UAB. She said adding pressure to the game can make sports less fun.

If your kid didn’t play their best, she said it’s important to stay positive after the game.

“What we really want to do is try to stay positive and point out the things that did go well. Especially right after the game, or right after the big performance. That’ll help them keep that in their mind. Then, if you need to give feedback, do that later when you’re at home or practicing,” said Canter.

She said it’s important to keep the coaching to the coach, but if you want to give your child advice, don’t wait until right before the game.

“Maybe you’re sitting around the dinner table and you’re like, ‘Okay, you got a big game coming up. How are you feeling about it?’ And get there, then, ‘One thing I noticed that could help…’ and share it that way, so it’s like a low-pressure situation.”

If your kids are not getting much sleep, are more irritable, or slipping in school, that’s a sign that it could be time for a break.

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