Helping Your Student Athlete Build Resilience and Perseverance

Playing team sports in your youth can be fulfilling, but it can also be hard. There’s always a level of pressure to bring something to the table for your team and to help your team win. The pressure comes from everywhere: from coaches, parents, teammates and, of course, from themselves. If your child wants to play team sports but struggles with the pressure, you can help them build resilience and the skills needed to persevere. 

Focus on the Learning Experience

You often hear about how negative experiences can be reframed as learning opportunities. However, there’s something to be learned from positive experiences, too. Talk to your child about what they learned after every win and every loss. This will help them understand that every time they go out on the court or the field, they have the opportunity to learn something new. It will also make wins feel more significant and losses feel like opportunities. 

Work Together on Coping Strategies

Student athletes are under constant pressure to perform. When your child plays a major role in a loss, or their team breaks a winning streak, it’s natural for them to feel down and out. Work on coping strategies to help them get through what they’re feeling, rather than distractions to help them get over it. That may look like talking to someone, writing the feelings down or expressing them through a creative outlet. Find what works best for your child, and encourage them to take a moment to work through their hard feelings. 

Offer Unconditional Support

When a game doesn’t go as planned, it’s not just your child who gets upset. You may find it difficult to cope with your own feelings, especially if you feel your child’s performance was lacking. However, it’s important to offer your support at all times, whether your child’s team wins or loses. Be their loudest cheerleader when they’re doing well, and be their anchor when they need support. The best thing you can do for your student athlete is be there for them. 

Stay Engaged and Involved

Keep up with your child as much as you can so you can always be there for them when they need you. Stay involved in their schoolwork and their extracurricular activities. Have honest conversations about their interest in the sport they’re playing. Make sure it’s still something they want to do, even when things get hard. Part of building resilience in sports is being passionate about the sport itself. The more engaged you are in the experience, the better you’ll be as a resource for your child. 

At our Titusville private school, we encourage students to pursue their athletic dreams, and building resilience is an important part of that. With over 57 years of academic excellence, St. Teresa Catholic School provides a quality education that challenges and empowers students to develop their full potential. Teachers foster qualities that are essential for lifelong learning and equip students for future success. To learn more about why St. Teresa is the perfect fit for you and your student, contact us today.