Note to parents: Do not avoid the tryout process by opting for rec sports or not playing at all to protect your kid. Make it or not, this process helps teach young kids about life in the real world. A world which is very competitive.
More importantly there are three ways the process may just help a young kid find him or herself.
- It may make a young athlete dig down to try harder and teach them what it really takes to succeed.
- It may lead to a new team and a new coach. A better coach who connects with the player to help the player get to the next level.
- The process may persuade a young kid to find his or her passion in another sport or activity. And the new activity just might be the confidence building, character defining activity that changes his or her life.
The Main Point
Who knows what will result from select or school sports tryouts? Tell your kids that this is an exciting time not a traumatic time.
My daughter is just 10 and she has competed for a spot on her elite soccer team for three years and her AAU basketball team 1 year. She has been selected to the top team each time but she realizes that it is getting tougher each time. My son 14 year old son has participated in eleven tryouts. He has made the first team on seven of those tryouts. He learned from the others.
Great blog! It perfectly captures the challenges and growth from youth sports tryouts. My 10-year-old daughter has faced increasing pressure but continues to grow stronger each year. My 14-year-old son has learned a lot from his eleven tryouts, whether he made the team or not.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of preparing for exams, like the HESI. Just as in sports, you need dedication and resilience. I’ve heard people ask, Can you take the HESI exam online? and indeed, you can. While it offers convenience, it also demands focus and discipline. Both experiences—sports tryouts and online exams—help us discover our strengths and prepare for future challenges.