Encouragement over Pressure

One of the most important roles parents play in youth sports is providing encouragement without overwhelming pressure. Kids do best when they feel supported, but too much criticism can make them lose confidence and interest.

Instead of focusing on wins and losses, parents should praise effort, teamwork, and improvement. A simple "I love watching you play" can boost a child’s self-esteem more than a breakdown of their mistakes. Growing up playing sports, it meant so much hearing these words from my parents. Allowing kids to explore different sports rather than pushing them into one helps prevent burnout. A positive experience in sports leads to lifelong physical activity and valuable life lessons.