Is it mostly inherited genetics that will determine their fate, or a seemly random DNA sequence that hits the lucky genetic number that somehow puts them on the path to becoming a superior athlete?
Because parents don't yet know the true athletic ability of their children, some attempt to force fit them into athletic greatness. The unfortunate situation this leads to are parents that either don't know, or can't see the true athletic skill level of their child. I call these parents the Pro Athlete Dream State (PADS) parents.
Youth coaches are very familiar with PADS parents and can spot them immediately. They are the one's that usually have a much higher assessment of their child's skill level than reality. If their child isn't a star on the team, or doesn't get a lot of playing time, the parent coach interaction could lead to a confrontational nightmare. Yet, other parents under similar circumstances, who do understand the true aability of their child are better able to deal with the situation.
Having the ability to assess the true athletic ability of your child will help prevent you from becoming a PADS parent. It will also help in developing the child into a better athlete and person by giving true feedback on the areas that need improvement.
One valuable tool in coming to understand your child's athletic skill level is to assess whether he/she has the mindset of an athlete, and the mindset needed to play their sport of choice.
Children with an athletic mindset are relatively easy to spot. They are the ones that enjoy physical activity and like to compete against others. They tend to have a very aggressive, do whatever it takes to win attitude during play and are almost always in the middle of the action. They aren't afraid of physical contact and see it as a challenge to prevail. They have excellent hand-eye coordination and play instinctively. If they make a mistake they listen to the coaches and try to understand it and learn from it.
In contrast, those that have less of an athletic mindset tend to be passive during play and usually are “watching” the action instead of being in the middle of it. Though they may not be afraid of physical contact, they don't tend to initiate it and when it happens they look for help or move away instead of taking on the challenge. At times they seem less confident in what they should do. If they make a mistake they lose their confidence, and some put their head down and pout and make it difficult for coaches to help them correct their mistakes.
Children with the correct mindset needed for their sport of choice are also relatively easy to spot. The first trait you'll notice is they want to play it, a lot! They either playing it, talking about it, or watching it to the point they're almost obsessed with it. It's the old adage of finding something to do that they love and have fun doing. They love to practice as well as play in games and do everything they can to get better. They watch their sport on TV and tend to know all the past and current pro stars. They emulate them and try to do the same moves as their favorite players. They are students of the game and understand it. They play their positions well, and have the ability to anticipate the action of the game.
In contrast, those that have less of a mindset for the sport they've chosen are not willing to put in the time needed to reach the highest levels of knowledge and skills. They tend not to practice outside of team practice. They have trouble playing their positions without re-enforcement of the basics. They don't fully understand the game and what they should be doing. They can't anticipate the play on the floor or field and thus aren't as effective. Repeated instruction may result in some improvement but their skill level, and especially knowledge of the game, remain below where they should be. They don't watch it on TV or go to other games to learn from the best players because it's not interesting enough for them.
Before you start contacting pro sports agents and looking for endorsement deals for your 10 year old athlete, take the time to honestly assess their mindset. Do they have the mindset of an athlete? Do they have the mindset to play the sport they've chosen?
Knowing this will not only give you real insight on what competitive level they should be playing, but also how they really feel about playing sports. First and foremost, kids should be having fun. If your kid doesn't have the right mindset, don't be a PADS parent. Your child can still have fun playing sports in the proper recreational setting. If your child has the mindset it takes, still make sure the element of fun is always there as he/she grows.
