Parents can set the precedent for the athlete's mental toughness. How parents behave and communicate before an event, during an event and after an event is the precedent that is set. It's important for a club director and coach to foster a learning environment for the parents so they can develop positive sports parenting habits. Here's a good place to start.
Develop a Healthy Relationship with Winning and Losing
As parents, what is the precedent that we set after unsuccessful outcomes and poor results? Parents make the mistake of setting bad examples: focusing on the outcome, giving advice rather than asking questions, and being too hard on the athlete.
Focus on the Process Not the Problem
Focusing only on the problem and trying to figure it out for the athlete begins a vicious negative cycle. The athlete starts to search instead of practice. Their confidence, which is already fragile, now becomes an issue and once athletes lose confidence, it's difficult to get it back.
Allow Failure
Parents tend to be the hardest on their own child because the expectations are highest. Also, parents want to solve the problem and make everything better if it's not going well. Parent don't want to see their children fail. However, by not allowing your athlete to fail you are preventing him/her from developing mental toughness.
The JVA is an association of Junior Club Directors and Coaches who are dedicated to all facets of junior volleyball and have a desire to offer the best programming possible to their members. We are the leaders and forward thinkers in Junior Volleyball Programs and we are a voice for junior clubs. Our number one goal is to help club programs and events thrive.