How do you keep young student athletes motivated?

I have a 16 year old that has decided to take a break from sports this year. He's been through a lot of let downs in the last 2 years. He is very, very talented and indicates that the other kids don't take the sport of interest seriously as well as the coach, so he has just been going to the gym and playing ball with his friends. Wasted talent, trust me. One of his disappointing coaches told him that they don't want any Michael Jordans or Coby Bryants on his team, because it intimidates the other members, isn't that crazy. He also introduced my son as one of the team members that he needed to slow down so others could catch up, not a good message to a star athelete. I could go on, but, the bottom line is to get him active again. I talk to him, listen to him, but he is into his friends and trying to disengage with family. So far, I am keeping him engaged, but fear he will slip away before I know it. Help?

Sportsmom in Elk Grove, California said: I have a 16 year old that has decided to take a break from sports this year. He's been through a lot of let downs in the last 2 years....

Hello,
I just happened to see this post. I noticed that you posted this about 22 days ago. Is this still the situation or has it been resolved? I've been a b-ball coach for many years at a number of levels, and although I don't coach any more (my son races motocross - and I've have no time) I may be to offer some insight.
Please don't give up - he needs to play! At sixteen, the next two years are critical!

Stephen

He has spoken with the coach and vice principal who are going to work with hime with regards to what he's going through as well as I.

Was the conversation with the Coach and V.P. productive?

When you mentioned that the coach told your Son to ‘slow down’ so the others could catch up, the first thing I thought was that your Son must be playing Rec-Ball. In Recreation Ball, The rules are such that everyone gets to play an equal amount of time – no matter what their level is. The coaches are assigned players based on grade and school – not playing ability. It’s meant to be a “fun” learning environment for kids that can’t, for whatever reason, make the High School team.

In this response you mention vice-principal and coach. I’m thinking now that you are telling me this situation is happening at the High School level! Is this true? Did a High School coach really tell your son not to play to his potential because it might intimidate the other players? What H.S. is this?

High School sports are typically VERY competitive. It has to be…it generates money for the school, and more importantly college scholarships for the athletes. The parents that I know would not stand for this approach to coaching. It’s not uncommon for parents to choose a H.S. based on the quality of the sports program. Del Oro, for example had a 5’6” point guard get a full scholarship to U.C. Santa Barbara last year. These families are very, very serious.

If what you are telling me is accurate – that you son really wants to play ball, is talented, could be a ‘star’ player, and there is nothing else going on, do not buy in to the philosophy of mediocrity of these type of coaches and school administrators. But, don’t quit the H.S. team because bad or incompetent coaching. Use the H.S. team to your benefit.

Here are a few suggestions…

Your Son is absolutely right though! It’s very hard to find kids that are serious about anything anymore. That makes it hard to not have that “why bother” attitude. Find him some serious kids!

Find a local AAU team for your Son. Look for one on the internet, or call Hardwood Palace in Ros

It looks like the end of the post was cut off...here it is below:

Here are a few suggestions…

Your Son is absolutely right though! It’s very hard to find kids that are serious about anything anymore. That makes it hard to not have that “why bother” attitude. Find him some serious kids!

Find a local AAU team for your Son. Look for one on the internet, or call Hardwood Palace in Roseville/Rocklin or any other place you can find. Find a team that is based on winning!

Surround yourself and make friends with other motivated parents/kids that want the same thing as you, and network with them. Get rid of anyone or anything that is a distraction, or a bad influence.

Find other kids for your Son to play ball with that are better than he is.

Talk to high quality coaches to find out exactly what coaches look for at the position your son plays.

Find the best personal coach/trainer you can. Preferably, one that has no vested interest in any particular school.

Hope this helps…Stephen

Yes, it is true, it was a high school coach, Pleasant Grove. We moved to a new school, the new school is the one where the kids aren't serious. However, he will play AAU this summer.

I think I will hire a trainer, one of his old coaches had offered that to him, but moved from the school that we thought he was coachiing at, the school that my son now attends. I will get in touch with him! Also, I ran into Chris Webber who is very down to earth, I will ask him for some resources too! He is my son's favorite player, my son met him and that is the week he went and spoke with the coach and VP.

Thanks
Sportsmom

I hope the little I was able to contribute helped. Here's a link for more info about AAU teams if you need it: application.raindropitg.com/aaumembers/default.asp

I wish more parents were as proactive with their kids as you seem to be!

Good luck,
Stephen

Thank you for your time, you were very helpful.

Sportsmom

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