Are You Bringing Joy to the Game as a Youth Sports Parent?
It’s inspiring to see more athletes taking active steps to reshape the culture of youth sports. One of the latest examples is Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić (who happens to be one of my favorite players to watch).
As highlighted in USA Today, the Luka Dončić Foundation focuses on breaking down barriers to entry, giving children worldwide the chance to play basketball regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Dončić’s Foundation released the “Inside Youth Basketball” report. It found that the pressures on kids are leading to historic drop-out rates: Seven out of 10 kids are walking away from youth sports by age 13. In a USA Today Op Ed, Dončić notes: “These pressures take away all the things that I love most about basketball. Kids who stop playing miss out on friendship, teamwork, growth, development, healthy competition and, most of all, fun. They miss out on the joy.”
I want to hone in on the last word here - joy! Youth sports are often marred by overzealous adults and financial inequities. It is difficult to see joy on display. Here are a few ways to bring back joy to youth sports.
# 1 - Emphasize effort and improvement.
The scoreboard is only one small part of sports. Shifting the focus to personal growth, teamwork, and effort can help kids feel more accomplished, even when they don’t come out on top. Coaches and parents should celebrate moments of hard work and resilience rather than just victories.
#2 - Give kids a voice
Letting kids have a say in their sports experience can be transformative. Whether it’s choosing practice drills, deciding team goals, or simply being able to express how they feel, giving young athletes some ownership over their experience can foster joy and keeps them invested.
#3 - Model positive behavior as adults
Too often, the joy in sports is stolen by adult behavior—yelling at referees, overanalyzing performance, or applying too much pressure. Parents and coaches must model positivity, encouragement, and sportsmanship. They should bring joy to the game; kids will mirror what they see from the adults.
As we embark on a new year let’s emphasize fun, effort, and a positive environment so we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to find joy in the game.