{"id":9036,"date":"2026-10-07T11:37:01","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T17:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goldcrownfoundation.com\/?p=9036"},"modified":"2026-10-07T14:24:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T20:24:36","slug":"how-to-be-a-positive-parent-of-a-young-athlete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goldcrownfoundation.com\/es\/how-to-be-a-positive-parent-of-a-young-athlete\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Be a Supportive Youth Sports Parent"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Being a sports parent is one of the most rewarding and challenging roles around. With Gold Crown sports seasons getting underway, there's no better time to think about how to show up for your young athlete. From the sidelines to the car ride home, the way parents engage shapes not just performance, but their child's entire relationship with sport. Dennis Coonan, athletic trainer and Manager of the Sports Medicine Center at Children's Hospital Colorado, shares practical tips on how to be a positive presence without adding pressure.<\/p>\n

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Parenting young athletes can be difficult. It\u2019s hard to not want to be overly involved in your child\u2019s success or have feelings about their performance. But \u00a0understanding how to be a positive parent is just as important to their development as the sport itself.<\/p>\n

Tips for being a supportive and positive sports parent<\/h2>\n

Effort over outcome for young athletes<\/h3>\n

While it may seem cheesy, the old saying \u201cjust do your best\u201d still applies to today\u2019s young athletes. Instead of zeroing in on wins, statistics or playing time, highlight the things your child does well or can control, such as being a good teammate or consistently being on time for practice or games.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure your child knows that success is not measured by performance,\u201d says athletic trainer Dennis Coonan, who also serves as Manager of the Centro de Medicina Deportiva<\/a>. \u201cThe goals should be that they\u2019re having fun, getting better at their sport and feeling connected. As you get older, success may be an important factor, but in youth sports, it\u2019s about encouraging goals not based on performance.\u201d<\/p>\n

When effort is a priority, mistakes become part of learning rather than something to fear. This mindset not only reduces pressure, but also helps athletes stay motivated, resilient and connected to the joy of playing.<\/p>\n

Leave practice to coaches and players<\/h3>\n

Many parents and caregivers spend countless hours shuttling young athletes to practices and attending games. They often financially support their child\u2019s sports, too. Understandably, parents are invested in their kids\u2019 athletic successes, but sometimes, that can cross a line. The biggest culprit? Frequently attending practices.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen a parent is there, an athlete is already worried about making a mistake in front of the coach, but now you've got the added pressure of failing in front of your parents too,\u201d Coonan says. \u201cAnd it\u2019s the same for a coach. From their standpoint, they need to feel comfortable criticizing a player or giving them feedback to play their best. With a parent right there, there may be added judgment that doesn\u2019t help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Plus, when your child sees you\u2019re there, they may not be the same teammate they are when you\u2019re not. Parents should allow practice to be a safe place for young athletes to learn, make mistakes and grow in their sport. That means understanding coaches\u2019 boundaries and their philosophies around the sport before your child even starts.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrop your kid off, go somewhere and do something else,\u201d Coonan says. \u201cIf a parent is there watching, kids\u2019 behavior may change and they may not feel comfortable expressing themselves around teammates and coaches. I understand you're paying for it, and you want to see them participate, so go to all the games. But for the practices, it's important to just let them go be themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Be their safe place after the game<\/h3>\n

Sports parents dread the silent drive home after a hard loss. But car rides\u00a0 shouldn\u2019t be a performance review. After games, you can make a difference in how your kid sees defeat by encouraging them and praising the things your athlete did well. Coonan suggests waiting some time before assessing how the game went and changing language to evaluate success:<\/p>\n