The ranks of professional athletes, from Tiger Woods to the Williams sisters and Wayne Gretzky, highlight that many reach remarkable heights early in life. When parents observe their children excelling in sports, it’s natural to ponder: could they be the next star?
However, this also prompts concerns. Is there excessive pressure on them to perform? Are they at risk of overtraining, stress, or self-doubt?
Olympians Rebecca Soni and Caroline Burckle confronted similar dilemmas during their careers as competitive swimmers. They understand that the path to success for young athletes can be fraught with obstacles. The rigorous physical and mental demands of high-level competition can be overwhelming, especially when balanced with academic responsibilities.
This understanding motivated them to establish RISE Athletes in 2015.
Soaring High with RISE Athletes
RISE Athletes connects young talents with Olympian mentors, offering a platform for athletes aiming to enhance their training beyond conventional coaching, such as what they receive in schools.
Mentor-mentee assignments are made based on various factors, including learning styles, personalities, and aspirations. Typically, young athletes are paired with Olympians who specialize in their sport.
Weekly mentoring sessions occur on RISE’s online environment, where both the athlete and their mentor can easily log in, select their upcoming session, and connect via video chat.
RISE focuses on bolstering young athletes’ self-awareness and helping them navigate anxiety, with even a nutrition expert available to guide them on dietary choices.
Rebecca Soni emphasizes, “Having been Olympians ourselves, we recognize the immense pressures athletes face—especially at the high school and collegiate levels. There is a distinction between benefiting from an active lifestyle that fosters energy, collaboration, and positivity, versus succumbing to performance pressure from coaches, parents, and peers, which can lead to anxiety and, sometimes, depression.”
RISE aims to cultivate an environment where young athletes can enjoy the benefits of being active and successful in their sport without succumbing to overwhelming pressure.
Supporting Young Athletes: Tips for Parents
While each child’s experience is unique, Burckle identifies several indicators that may suggest an athlete is harboring negative feelings towards their sport. Signs may include expressions of dislike for their sport or frequent comparisons with peers, often leading to signs of fear, resentment, or sadness.
“It’s completely natural for these doubts to arise, and it’s crucial to validate the athlete’s feelings,” Burckle advises. “Maintaining open lines of communication with your child as parents is vital, enabling them to express their struggles openly.”
RISE offers a complimentary guide for parents containing useful strategies for supporting their children through these challenges (visit rise-athletes.com and click on “Get the E-book”).
Among RISE’s recommendations is the careful consideration of language when praising your young athlete. Instead of using broad compliments like “You’re amazing,” focus on specific behaviors or strategies that contribute to their success: “You did an excellent job passing the ball to Jen through effective foot positioning and follow-through.”
Additionally, it’s important for parents to refrain from making performance comparisons. Young athletes can be at different development stages, making such comparisons misleading and potentially confusing.
If issues arise between your athlete and their coach, Burckle stresses the importance of communication. Document the athlete’s perspective on the situation, followed by the coach’s viewpoint, identifying overlaps and differences, and facilitating a constructive dialogue with the coach outside of practice settings.
“Promoting this type of communication leads to self-discovery, which is incredibly empowering for young athletes,” Soni adds.
Four Key Principles for Athletes
For young athletes balancing academic responsibilities and demanding training schedules—often leading to feelings of overwhelm—Soni and Burckle advise focusing on four key principles.
Awareness: Achieving balance entails understanding how to manage rest and recovery times alongside training efforts.
Sleep: Instead of staying up late to complete schoolwork, aim for a full night’s rest and rise early with a clear mind to finish tasks.
Community: Focus on the present moment and the people around you. While others may have their own paths, what you are doing is equally important to maximize your enjoyment.
Grace: If you start feeling overwhelmed or unwell, don’t hesitate to take a break. Athletes often overlook the need to listen to their bodies. Grant yourself time to rest and recharge, and you will achieve great outcomes.
Is Your Involvement Affecting Performance?
Parents must also prioritize their own well-being! While you drive your athlete to practice and observe from the sidelines, it’s easy to neglect your own fitness. Even a few minutes of daily activity can significantly impact your health. Here are some suggestions:
- Display a photo of a motivational athlete on your fridge or in a visible area to remind you of your own fitness goals.
- When taking your kids to practice, try parking further away so that you increase your walking distance.
- Team up with a workout partner who can keep you motivated, especially on days when your motivation wanes.
- Schedule workout times in your calendar, just like you would for important meetings. No one needs to know that your lunch hour is actually dedicated to a fitness class!
