Using Resiliency to Overcome Frustration
Does your young athlete become frustrated when things don’t go as planned during a game or even practice?
Does frustration lead them to think negatively about themselves?
Do they lose confidence in their ability? To not want to play anymore?
Young athletes experience many “wins” and “losses,” especially when learning technique and the basics of their sport.
The awesome thing about being a young athlete is that they have the opportunity to encounter countless more wins and losses.
How they deal with both wins and losses will be a factor in their mental approach to sports.
We recently saw a commercial featuring the famous Golden State Warrior, Steph Curry…
The commercial, or message of the commercial, is about ‘Wins and Losses.’ The 30-second advertisement takes a journey through specific moments in Curry’s career, good and bad, or rather wins and losses.
In a beginning scene, he is knocked down on a playground basketball court by another player and has to get back up and brush himself off.
You could see the initial discouragement and “loss” on his face. However, he dusted himself off and started to play again.
A later scene shows his selection by Golden State, a “win.”
In this moment, he expresses the importance of learning to be humble.
In the commercial Curry says, “My mind, is where every challenge I’ve faced is won or lost.”
The message implies the significance of training your mind to be strong.
At the end of the commercial, a phrase appears on the screen:
“Train your mind. The body will follow.”
Curry went from having one Division I offer to a $200 Million-dollar contract in the NBA.
He’s experienced numerous wins and losses but recognized the importance of resiliency at a young age. He devotes much of his success in basketball and life to his solid mentality.
Young athletes are going to win and lose more times than any of us can count. How they react in those situations is crucial to their develop as a person and athlete.
Help your kids understand the journey, the greatness of the journey.
Remind them that they’re human and since they’re human, they are far from perfect.
Let them know that how they perform as an athlete does not change who they are as a person.
Their “win” or “loss” doesn’t mean they are a winner or loser. They’re a person taking part in the process.
Also, remind your young athletes that wins and losses are part of the journey. It’s what makes it great.
Like Tom Hanks said in A League of Their Own:
“It’s supposed to be hard. If it were easy, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.”
Wins and losses in sports and life are certain.
Your young athletes’ ability to understand this concept, and to let go of the past and persevere through challenges and success will help them be a
better athlete and person.
If you want more information on how to help your young athlete develop a strong mind, please check out our new program for young athletes and parents or coaches:
Related Articles on Youth Sports:
- Sport is the Athletes’ Journey, Not Parents
- Boosting Athletes’ Confidence with Life Skills Lessons
- One Trap for Parents That Hurts Kids’ Confidence
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