Thank you for visiting, Frank Gimapaolo
Why do junior athletes discredit & fight with their parents so often?
A teens actions and thoughts are a direct result of their validation. Teens have a deep desire to fit in. In their eyes, once they are discredited, they slip into their defensive state- in this competitive, stubborn head space, athlete shut down. They are then unable to process a helpful, harmless opinion.
Solution: I recommend reverse psychology. Empower positive validation to help maximize performance.
For example: If your young athlete is still not bending their knees, replace the typical, “Sarah, your still not bending your knees! How many times do I have to tell you !” with “Wow, I’m impressed Sarah! You’re really starting to bend your knees get lower on your shots! Can you feel it?”
With parent’s positive validation, subconsciously, the player is able to listen because their defensive wall isn’t up. If they can’t feel it…they may just try a little harder without being told they are still wrong. Bingo!!! They have lowered their knee bend without the typical ego beat-down.
Parents and coaches who choose to list, expose and magnify every problem they see are in for daily battles,not to mention damaged relationships. Most teens don’t thrive under those conditions. How would you feel if someone listed, expose and magnified everything they perceived you did wrong every single day ?
Positive actions are a result of positive validations. Apply reverse psychology and maximize their potential without the battles.
Contact: Frank Gimapaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
Maximizingtennispotential.com
Raisingathleticroyalty.com
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