When a parent constantly pressures a child to succeed in competitive sports, a very potentially explosive situation is created. The child is evaluated on whether he or she wins or loses, not by the level of participation or effort exhibited. And when a loss does occur, the child often feels a terrible sense of failure and guilt for having let the parent down. If the parent withholds interest, love or affection when the child does not succeed at sports, the child faces not only the unhappiness of a loss, but also a lack of family support. Arthur Ashe on competition.
Young athletes have special needs.
Parents must question their own motives and expectations in regards to their child s participation in a competitive sport. Often, parents don t realize the subtle pressures they place on their children. I can't blame you for wanting to . . . But when you sit there right on the sidelines where they're watching you . . . Watch them from a distance and try to act unconcerned, interested but unconcerned.