Tips On How To Handle Kids After a Loss

March 9, 2010

Knowing how to handle kids after a loss can make a car ride home a lot easier. Is it better to offer suggestions or keep quiet? Here are some tips on how to handle a young athlete after a loss.

After a loss, kids may react differently from others. Of course parents would love to have their kids realize that everyone makes mistakes or loses. Unfortunately some kids after a loss may react in a way where his or her actions can hurt their confidence or even their teammates. Knowing how to handle kids after a loss will help him or her to becoming a better athlete in the future.

Win or lose, it’s the parents and coach’s job to focus on their kid’s state of mind, says Gary Kramer, founder of Inner-Sports, which is an innovator in behavioral education and coaching. He stresses the importance of good communication after a win or a loss. When a kid lashes out, it’s best to show empathy for the young athlete. Rather than judging and offering suggestion, let the kid know that you’re behind them and know where they’re coming from.

The feeling of winning and losing is something every young athlete goes through. It’s best to know how to handle the situation instead of focusing on their mistake and or losses. Too much focusing on their mistakes can lead to a fear of failure. Young athletes may fear taking the final shot or having the ball in their hand because the fear of making a mistake. Help young athletes go through the pain by letting them know or help them realize that mistakes will be made by kids and even pro athletes. The best thing for a young athlete to do is to go out there and try their best in their next game.

Source: http://www.youthsportspsychology.com/youth_sports_psychology_blog/?p=330