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How to Create a Positive and Supportive Environment in Youth Sports

How to Create a Positive and Supportive Environment in Youth Sports

Navigating the complexities of youth sports environments requires more than just a playbook, it demands a deep understanding of individual and team dynamics. This article distills expert advice to foster a positive and supportive atmosphere, focusing on personal growth and genuine athlete care. Embrace strategies that promote inclusion, respect, equity, and a lasting passion for the sport.

  • Focus on Growth, Not Just Results
  • Show Genuine Concern for Each Athlete
  • Encourage Love for the Sport
  • Prioritize Inclusion, Respect, and Equity
  • Accentuate Individual Development
  • Implement Clear Communication and Positive Reinforcement

Focus on Growth, Not Just Results

Youth sports can create a positive and supportive environment for athletes of all skill levels by focusing on the process of growth for young athletes and not only on the results shown on the scoreboard.

As a new coach of a high school soccer team, I inherited a squad that had not won a game in over a year. At kickoff, athletes and parents alike expected the worst each time we played. We worked hard in practice and in games on changing the environment from one that emphasized the negative to one that emphasized the positive. We all knew we didn't have the most talent in our league and a lot of our athletes were new to the game.

We were realistic and didn't talk about winning championships. Instead, we focused on what we could control—foundational skills, basic tactics, and small accomplishments in the game. We set realistic, manageable goals we could accomplish during a match. For example, in one game against the best team in our league, we wanted our defense to hold them to 5 goals or less in the first half. The first time we accomplished that, our athletes were just as excited as if we had won. Emphasizing the positive helped our team grow in each match. By the sixth game that season, athlete perspectives had changed and they were more confident. After a mistake, they stopped blaming each other and started encouraging each other. Finally, we were able to score a late goal to tie a team and then win in overtime. We celebrated like we won the World Cup! By focusing on ourselves, defining success in a way that could be obtained, and working hard to achieve it, we were able to turn our team around and create a winning program within 2 years.

A positive environment created by coaches for parents and athletes is key. Coaches need to create an environment where athletes can grow no matter their skill level or experience level. Set obtainable, measurable goals. Don't just focus on the scoreboard—track the skills within the game and see how you improve. Maybe focus on fielding the ball cleanly or the number of swings where an athlete makes contact with the ball in softball. Determine what each athlete can improve and work on it constantly until it improves.

Overall, the coach sets the tone for youth sports programs. Coaches should do everything they can to create a positive atmosphere, emphasize sportsmanship, and create good memories for our young athletes as they learn and grow.

Bill Stikes
Bill StikesDistrict Athletic Director, Griffin-Spalding County Schools

Show Genuine Concern for Each Athlete

1. Show true concern for the athlete as a person. Remember they are people first and players second. They will have fears, pressures, and anxieties both on and off the field.

2. Meet them where they are. Everyone has their own reasons and motivations for playing sports. Understanding what motivates athletes will help you better serve them.

3. Every player is capable of improvement no matter what their skill level is. Encourage progress and growth.

4. Remember sports are a great vehicle for teaching about life. Use the lessons that playing sports provide as a teachable moment.

5. Tell stories. Kids remember stories much better than lectures. Make them personal to you (if possible), but always relatable to the lesson you want them to learn.

6. Be positive. Remember they are ALWAYS listening and feed off your energy.

7. Be enthusiastic. They will mirror your disposition.

Encourage Love for the Sport

I have long felt that the primary goal at the youth sport level is to encourage the child to fall in love with the sport while learning basic physical skills and character development. When I was eight and playing soccer for the first time, I was rarely allowed to get in the game, which killed my enjoyment. That same year I went out for basketball. Even though I was new to that game, I had a coach that encouraged me and let me play. 50 years later, I ended up building my whole career around the game I fell in love with... basketball.

I would also add that it's okay to keep score. Kids already know the object is to win, and they will keep score if you don't. Focus instead on forming and shaping those competitive instincts in healthy ways. Teach love and respect for the game itself, and for teammates, coaches, and officials. Learning to handle the emotions of success and failure (with humility and grace) is critical for children to develop healthy social connections.

Finally, Augustine of Hippo reflected on the importance of balance and purpose in all activities, including sports. He stated, "The body is not made for sports but sports for the body." This reminds us that while sports are a valuable tool for physical development and enjoyment, they should serve the higher purpose of shaping character and nurturing the soul. By keeping this perspective, youth sports can become a means of encouraging holistic growth, reflecting the deeper values of respect, discipline, and love for others.

Prioritize Inclusion, Respect, and Equity

Youth sports programs can create a positive, supportive environment for athletes of all skill levels by prioritizing inclusion, respect, and equity. Clear policies should protect athletes from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or ability, and ensure access to facilities, teams, and uniforms that align with individual identities. Ongoing education for coaches, staff, and volunteers is essential to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as to model respectful behavior and foster teamwork.

Celebrating effort, improvement, and collaboration over individual achievement helps athletes of all abilities feel valued. Financial aid, equipment-sharing programs, and beginner-friendly options ensure accessibility, while mental health resources provide emotional support. Highlighting diverse role models and inviting LGBTQ+ athletes and advocates to speak fosters representation and belonging.

Clear communication of values, expectations, and reporting processes is key to addressing bias and inappropriate behavior. By focusing on equity, education, and accessibility, youth sports programs can create spaces where all athletes feel safe, supported, and empowered to grow and thrive, reflecting You Can Play's mission that everyone belongs in sports, no matter who they are.

Ren Dawe
Ren DaweEducation Director, You Can Play

Accentuate Individual Development

Player development is key and is much more important than winning or focusing only on the results of one's actions. Accentuate the process of developing individually within a team atmosphere. The results will happen, but the process of improvement should be the focus while providing the opportunity for all to compete, grow, and have fun while doing so.

By creating an atmosphere that rewards maximal effort, having a positive attitude, being a great teammate, celebrating others' achievements as if they were your own, and putting the focus on controlling the things that are within your control, you can set them up with skills that will last a lifetime. Make room for mistakes to happen and for failure to occur. Discuss how we can deal with "failure" and overcome it, turn the page in a positive direction in order to make the next play, and stay confident enough to do so.

Ron LeClairAssistant Athletic Director / Head Athletic Trainer

Implement Clear Communication and Positive Reinforcement

Creating a positive and supportive environment in youth sports programs is essential for the holistic development of athletes across all skill levels. Implementing the following key elements can help achieve this goal:

Clear Communication: Coaches should provide concise and understandable instructions, ensuring athletes comprehend expectations and objectives. This clarity fosters trust and reduces anxiety among young athletes.

Emphasis on Effort Over Achievement: Recognizing and praising effort, determination, and improvement encourages athletes to persist through challenges, understanding that consistent effort leads to development.

Structured and Engaging Practices: Organizing training sessions that are both structured and enjoyable keeps athletes engaged. Incorporating fun elements can enhance learning and retention, making the experience rewarding.

Positive Reinforcement: Utilizing positive reinforcement techniques boosts athletes' confidence and motivation. Acknowledging successes, no matter how small, reinforces desired behaviors and skills.

Inclusive Environment: Creating a welcoming atmosphere where every athlete feels valued promotes inclusivity. This involves being attentive to individual needs and fostering a sense of belonging within the team.

Safety and Well-being: Ensuring the physical and emotional safety of athletes is paramount. Implementing appropriate safety measures and being vigilant about athletes' well-being builds a secure environment conducive to learning.

Opportunities for Skill Development: Providing varied opportunities for athletes to develop both sport-specific and life skills contributes to their overall growth. This holistic approach prepares them for challenges both on and off the field.

Parental and Community Involvement: Engaging parents and the community creates a support network for athletes. This involvement can enhance resources, encouragement, and a sense of community around the sports program.

Consistency in Program Structure: Maintaining a consistent structure in programs helps set clear expectations and provides stability, which benefits youth development.

Empowerment and Autonomy: Allowing athletes to have a say in certain aspects of their training fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, enhancing their commitment and enjoyment.

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