![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mentalnitrening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/13c2a6153c7c6a9a02d22341f061bd2d.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nFocus on physical and mental preparation<\/h2>\n\n
As we have already noted, there are some things we cannot control, and it is not worth losing sleep over them. Instead, focus on the things and aspects of the game that you can control. Help your child view this period as an opportunity for progress. Even though it does not seem like it, a period of not playing can be a stepping stone for your child. By observing the game, matches, and competitions, a lot can be learned. Your child can gain insight into their own and their opponent’s weaknesses and can understand what needs to be fixed and what needs to be worked on. <\/p>\n\n
In addition, fewer matches and competitions mean more time for preparation, harder practices, and working on strength, endurance, as well as mental preparation. Mental coaches love quiet periods because they can calmly teach athletes various techniques, and the athletes have the time to try out, practice, and perfect them in peace. This period can be used to gain a psychological advantage and mental strength. One of the biggest mistakes athletes make is “giving up” when they are not playing. They do not work on their physical and mental skills; instead, they get angry and act out of spite. Life is full of obstacles and sometimes it isn’t fair. As much as you do not want to tell this to your child, overprotecting them is an even worse solution. Encourage them to work on other aspects of their game while waiting for their turn. <\/p>\n\n
Change clubs<\/h2>\n\n
In some cases, it is smart to change clubs, but this should definitely be a last resort. Talk to your child and talk to the coach. If the child is disheartened and the coach no longer sees them in the team, find a new club. Changes are difficult and uncertain, but sometimes they come with many benefits. Although success is not guaranteed, changing clubs is precisely what is sometimes needed for your child to shine in a new environment. <\/p>\n\n In the end, it is important to start from what truly matters. These are usually the reasons why you enrolled your child in sports in the first place and why your child loves this specific sport. Some of the most common reasons parents tell us are: I want them to engage in physical activity, to have an opportunity for advancement, to learn teamwork, to respect authority, to build good habits, and to learn values through sport that will help them in life. If these are your reasons too, then it is important to practice them in communication with your child so that they develop properly within the sports context. <\/p>\n\n Let us be the change we want to see in others, but also in our children! <\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Let them know that you understand and that you realize how hard it is for them. Do not openly criticize the coach and his decisions, especially not in front of the child, as this will only deepen the sense of injustice and anger. Explain to them that in life, there are things we can influence and those we cannot; in this case, they can influence their own effort and commitment at practice, but the coach’s final decision belongs to the coach alone. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":9328,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[127,125,104],"class_list":["post-10015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-for-parents","tag-emotional-regulation","tag-focus","tag-youth-athletes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mentalnitrening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/088f4572d61184c94662869a9b4338d6-1.jpg\")
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