Upon Further Review: Pressuring players not the answer
A lot of pressure is put on kids these days when it comes to playing ball. Coaches put pressure on kids, and maybe more than we would like to see some times. But I feel the true pressure comes from the parents.
If we have a child that likes playing ball and he or she is fairly good at it, then we as parents seem to maybe push our kids just a little too hard sometimes. Maybe we want to live out our dreams as ex-ball players through them. Or maybe we think they can get that free ride to college. Whatever the reason we have to sometimes step back and realize these are just kids, and we have to make sure we as parents don’t burn them out on something they love to play.
We all want to see our kids be the best they can, be but we also have to learn not to ride them so hard they want to stop playing. Each kid is different just like we are. Some can take the pressure of practicing every day of their lives, and some can’t.
Just because they don’t want to play baseball or soccer all year long doesn’t mean they are not dedicated to that sport. It means they just want to have a little time off for themselves just like we all need from our jobs. Everybody needs a little time off, and so do these kids.
Let’s not force our dreams on them. They have their own dreams and if it’s playing ball all year long then that’s what they’ll do. But some need that break for a while. Even professional athletes take time off when they feel they’re getting burned out.
It’s up to the parents and coaches to recognize when these kids need a break. Does your kid have the same enthusiasm about playing ball he or she did a year ago? Do they make more mistakes in a game than they usually do? All we have to do is ask them if they need a break. It won’t hurt anything and it just might put a little pep back in their step.
I know the old saying, practice makes perfect. But it doesn’t make anything if your kid has lost the heart to play.
Just remember you don’t like somebody on your back all the time at work or somebody always looking over your shoulder or being yelled at when you do something wrong. The kids feel the same way!
Yes, sometimes we have to push our kids to make them better, but we have to understand each kid has a breaking point and we have to know when to back off.
We are quick to tell them when they mess up, and need to be quicker at telling them when they make a good play or do something the right way.
I think most of you will agree that praise will go farther than criticism. Just remember not everyone is to be a star ball player and only a few will ever play in college. We should give our kids good memories of playing ball. Those memories maybe from little league or from high school, but they should be good ones, not bad.
Parents and coaches, just put yourself in those kids’ shoes. Would you want someone yelling and embarrassing you while you’re out on the field? If you have something to say to a player at least get them in the dugout and tell them in there. Embarrassing a kid in front of his friends or teammates is not the right way to handle the situation. All that is going to do is make him or her resent you and keep them from playing to the best of their abilities.
You don’t want your boss to scream or embarrass you in front of your friends or co-workers. They usually take you to the side or into their office and let you know what you’re doing wrong. Just remember that when a kid makes a mistake on the field. I guarantee he or she will play better if you explain things instead of yelling at them. Instead of screaming at them, try teaching.