Teaching Kids to Deal With Unfairness in Sports

Participation in sports can benefit kids in many ways, from improving their motor and social skills to boosting self-confidence to helping them maintain a healthy weight by staying active. However, poor sportsmanship, unfair calls and frustrations on and off the field can leave some kids feeling disenchanted with organized sports. Teaching your kids to deal with unfairness in sports can help them stay focused on the benefits of the game.

  1. Stay Positive

    • As a parent, it's easy to get frustrated when things don't go your kid's way on the field or court. However, your positivity in the stands can set the right example for your athlete, even if he's frustrated by an unfair play or call. Cheer for your child even through unfairness exists. If you have a problem with what's going on during the game, talk to the coach in private after the game so that you can remain positive in front of your child.

    Sportsmanship

    • Ideally, your kid's coaches will teach her the basics of sportsmanship, but you can discuss it at home as well. Talk to your child about the importance of respecting the game, her teammates, her opponents, the referees and her coaches, even when she might not agree with a call or the outcome of the game. By teaching your athlete the principles of good sportsmanship, she can focus on being a good sport even when the game turns unfair.

    Encourage Improvement

    • Rather than dwelling on unfair situations, whether your child didn't land a starting position or isn't getting the playing time she wants, encourage her to focus her energy on improving her skills. While the unfairness might not specifically relate to her skill set, your child can nonetheless use the issue as motivation to improve her skills and enhance her talent. Then, her focus can be on personal improvement instead of persistent unfairness on the field.

    Minimize the Pressure

    • If your child feels too much pressure to perform on the field, he might struggle to brush off a bout of unfairness, whether that strike was really a ball or that pass was caught in bounds. While you want to encourage your child to excel, you don't want him to feel excessive parental pressure to perform. Strike the right balance when it comes to supporting your child in sports, and he'll be more likely to handle unfairness in sports with grace.

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