7 New Year’s Resolutions for Youth Sports Athletes
At i9 Sports®, we strive to teach young athletes everything they need to know to succeed in their chosen sport. Their time in our youth sports program can help them build skills they need to succeed in life as well —like self-confidence, teamwork, and good sportsmanship.
With 2022 upon us, youth sports participants may be looking for new year’s resolution ideas to help them become better athletes. Here are some ideas that just might help your child have the best season of their life.
I will work on my sportsmanship.
Good sportsmanship means treating everyone involved in the game—including teammates, competing players, coaches, referees, and parents—with respect. There are lots of ways you can help your young athlete work on being a good sport:
- Have a positive attitude.
- Shake hands with the other team before and after the game.
- Don’t argue with official calls.
- Never tease or bully competitors.
- Play by the rules.
- Help another player who has fallen down, even if they’re on the other team.
- Take pride in every win, but don’t rub it in.
- Accept defeat without whining or making excuses.
- Complete our FUN but informative Sportsmanship Counts Activity Book!
I will be more aware of my teammates’ needs.
This is an element of good sportsmanship. All athletes must learn that it’s not about any individual player—it’s about the team as a whole. Here are some goals you might encourage your child to set:
- Seek to understand your teammates’ challenges.
- Take responsibility for your mistakes.
- Cheer on your teammates, even if you’re discouraged with your own play.
- Pass the ball to someone who hasn’t had a chance to shoot in a while.
I will be patient.
There is no set time frame for athletic success. Some players are naturally gifted, but most must work really hard to achieve the rank of MVP. Unfortunately, many athletes quit if their sport doesn’t come naturally to them, giving up the chance for fun, friendship, and fitness that youth sports provide. Don’t let that happen to your child! Encourage them to be patient and know that 90 percent of success is just showing up.
I will get enough rest.
Rest is critical for athletes of any age and skill level. This means ensuring your child gets downtime between practices, games, and tournaments.
Getting enough rest also means sleeping for about 10 hours every night. School-aged children need this amount of sleep for physical growth, brain development, and good behavior.
I will spend time focusing on my flexibility.
Becoming more flexible is the key to reducing youth sports injuries. Remind your child to stretch and warm up before every practice and game to keep their body loose. Encourage them to do static stretches like toe touches and the butterfly to lengthen their ligaments and tendons. Then, ask them to spend five minutes doing gentle activities like jumping jacks and running in place to warm up their muscles.
I will not be afraid to take risks.
If you notice your child making safe decisions because there’s a possibility of failure, encourage them to change their mindset. After all, competing is inherently risky because it either leads to a win or a defeat. Young athletes can challenge themselves in 2022 by taking risks, such as trying a new sport they know little about. Children feel proud of themselves when they realize they didn’t give up!
I will maintain a healthy sports-life balance.
If your child loves youth sports, it’s easy for this passion to overtake all their free time. However, it’s important to balance sports, school, friends, and family time. If you notice your child becoming overwhelmed by their current practice schedule, consider switching to a league that helps your family strike a better sports-life balance. Our once a week, practice and play on the same day approach may be perfect to help your family achieve balance as a whole!
We are so thankful for all of those that helped make 2021 so wonderful, and look forward to watching your child achieve their goals in 2022! For more information, please browse our programs or contact your local i9 Sports® office today.
