How you can support your young athlete and why doing so is important 

Participating in sports can prove to be an incredibly formative platform for children- especially when they take up a sport seriously and hope to pursue it professionally. From disciple and skill development to team work and loss, being on a sports field can teach one a lot of life lessons. The level at which your child is competing does not matter as much as his seriousness about the sport. Young athletes go through a lot of strong emotions on field and in training, and it can be tricky to keep a level head while doing so. As a parent, it becomes extremely important to stick by your child and offer the required support to him. It goes a long way in enriching his experience even more. Read on to find out how you can support your budding athlete. 

Be actively supportive 
Very often, more emphasis is placed on academics than on extra-curricular activities and sports. This is an unfair trade-off to precocious athletes since they do not receive the adequate support to excel at what they do best. Your budding athlete needs support in all forms, whether that be emotional, financial or logistical. For this, be present at her tournaments, support her if she is having a losing streak, encourage her to challenge herself and not overdo it. It is equally important to teach her to balance sports with other aspects of her life too. The aim is to let your child know that you have her back and believe in her talent. 

Educate yourself about the sport 
If your child is serious about pursuing a particular sport, it is important that you know the fundamentals about it. Speak to coaches, tournament organisers, parent of student athletes, ex-student athletes, etc. to stay informed about the sport. This goes a long way in encouraging your child to open up and have discussions with you. Additionally, being knowledgeable about the industry will give you an idea about what is required to become a student athlete in terms of scholarships, selections, etc. Taking this weight off of your child will help him focus on the sport more.  

Provide feedback and constructive criticism 
Feedback goes a long way when it comes to boost your child’s confidence. Constructive criticism will help him become aware of the areas he needs to work on. Sharing your thoughts with your child will also assure him that you are invested and engaged in his pursuit of the sport. Moreover, it works as an important reality check during wins and encouragement during the losses. Be as detailed as possible in your feedback without unnecessary praise or critique.