Why are children sometimes under so much pressure to do well in sports? (age 12)?
473736
Parents sometimes live vicariously through their children for whatever reason. Maybe they weren't allowed to participate as children, were not athletic but wished to be or they didn't do well when participating. Sometimes parents just want their children to do well at everything and because you are in sports, want you to succeed. It's sad really because sports are suppose to be fun and teach more about being a team player and sharing rewards, more than just success of competition. You can lose and still have a blast playing the game.\n\nAs for peers and coaches. Peers probably just want you to do well because they are your friends or count on you and the team to make their school look good.\n\nCoaches, sometimes just want to look good and will go to any length to look that way. Sometimes continuing their position as a coach relies on the success of the team. That is the school system's fault.\n\nWhatever you are going through, I suppose you need to really have a nice talk with your parents, explain to them that the pressure has been too much from not only them, but from the other people in your life. They are the most important. Peers and coaches will just have to get over it. I wish you well.
664586
I think the coaches were out of line.  They thought they were motivating him, when actually they were tearing him down.  Not all children/people respond well when they are being yelled at all, not very constructive.  Their actions could cause the opposite affect they desire.  Rather than motivate, they chase them away from the sport.  There is a fine line, especially with children playing sports.  You know your little guy and what makes him respond.  If I were you I would talk with all the coaches.  Explain that you didn't raise your child with verbal assaults.  Tell them that you are concerned that they will push him away from the sport rather than help.  Let them know that you don't expect for your child to babied but nurtured.  Suggest taking him out of the game the next time he messes up, rather than verbally embarassing him.  If your son really wants to play he will do the best he can to continue playing.  Another thought would be to get the opinions of other players parents, if they agree, try as a group to discuss this with the coaches.  The only reason I suggest this is if the coaches are jerks your son could pay for your chat with the coaches.  He could be teased and degraded as being a momma's boy when your not around.  Don't act offended of the situation but as a concerned parent who wants her child to excel in the sport.    Being a sports freak myself, I feel that these days people are going overboard when it comes to sports.
1052681
They will learn how to play when they have the passion to play. Because you can only be good at a sport if u love it, not if you are there to make money.
1023140
yep its called being a teenager... we make mistakes, we do stupid things... but at the end of the day it is the individuals choice whether to do it. peer pressure can be a toughy but it's something ppl have to learn to rise above
148947
no no no they r terrible answers ... a 13 year old wow .. well it is good to see  that the young ones r out doing sports.. tantrems normaly come from somthing she has done on the field that she thought she could of done a better job.. i have been their at 21 i was the same i grew out of it slowly..  she will learn to put all her anger and \nevery thing into what we call peak performance.. speak to her nicely don't yell at her i promise she will deff become a great sportsperson..\nSHE IS STILL A KID  ...  good luck.. give her  a little breather and keep incourageing her and she will be fine...
1017791
3 possibilities: There must be kids at his school who play for junior teams he could train with...... I live next door to a park, there are groups of kids of various ages being coached several times a week...... Have you checked your local newspaper?
172014
Aside from the pubertty/hormones issue, another reason is that kids of that age lack perspective. They aren't old enough to recognize that whatever may be bothering them today may sort itself out tomorrow, that today's must-have item is oldschool tomorrow.
769511
Don't be too strict...don't let them run with the ball...but if they lift there pivit foot once don't sweat it...Let them touch each other but don't let them intentionally do it...if something is questionable let it slide...At that age the kids are just now learning the game...and calling every little thing won't help anything...all it'll do is make it a stop and go game...which no one will enjoy
928491
If you even have to ask such a question, something is wrong... I suspect your opinion of your skills, size, or ability level is inflated\n...I coached high school ball for 8 yrs, and more than once I cut bigger, more talented players in favor of smaller, less skilled kids who ALWAYS tried hard...kids who always try hard are winners on and off the court
201216
I believe tat some children are geared by their parents to just be acheavers and that's there reality. I believe its the attitude of you have to be the best. Therefore, you must do all you can to be. Even if that means not getting envolved in stuff that would supposely hinder there progress\nand success.
389260
No, because they can see how their parents live. They know not everybody lives that way. The thing is that they need to realize is very few people make it to play pro sports. The ones that do have real talent, work real hard and there is alot of luck involved. Its not something that is just bestowed on them. They cannot just expect to be a pro player because they are great in their league. They need to know that even if they are great they could be one ALC injury away from needing that college education. These are the things that kids don't understand.
438938
doing your best is what is important to you, too much pressure can backfire, a lot of parents don't see this.\n\nThey are doing it for you, because they don't want you to struggle as much as they did, they just don't realise that this sort of pressure can have negative effects on some people.\n\nPositive encouragement and help works a lot better.
235314
Because kids are not mature enough to make all sorts of decisions for themselves. Of course, being a kid has advantages too. Kids are not held to the same standard as adults and if kids do something wrong, they are not always punished/held as responsible as an adult in the same situation.
497159
My husband and I go through this every time we coach our daughters teams, she is ten.  We learned that we have to make it exciting and fun.  Even if it is all about learning the game, they don't have to know that.  We usually split up into two groups, he takes half and I take half.  We both work on something differ net, we tell the girls that if they do better tan the other girls, they will get a Power-Ade, or some little prize.  Of coarse by the end of practice, they have all won the same thing, but they all have bragging rights for something different.  Someone was the best hitter, catcher, pitcher, 1st baseman, and so on.  And of coarse we use positive reinforcement.  Try to be their friend, not just their coach.  Kids like to be talked and listened to, not just talked AT.  Make it seem like a GAME, which it is, not a job.  Hope this helps.
454637
The environment SHOULD be recreational for kids under 12. This gives them time to enjoy playing for the sake of playing before the competitiveness kicks in. Over 12 there is an emphisis on skills and desire to win. It is sad to see parents pushing kids as young as 5 and 6 to be ultra competitive. Parents should stop trying to make their kids do things that they can no longer do themselves. GAME ON...ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN.
847186
i think that its kinda yes and no. i think kids hav bcom mor unsure of themselvs and peer pressure builds up.im a teen. i dnt find it dat hard i do feel is dat celebs rule d world and nt ppl dat really matr eg nelson mandela etc. celebs also c dat dey hav bcom d focus and sum use it to dar advantage bt d rest feel lyk d pressure to luk gud . wer i am now even d cloths u weresay alot and cnt wer dez shoes coz it means u a "poshie" ( wish is lyk a nt gud ding)
489278
Because there are many kids playing in the streets, fields, with no organization or command by adults.\nIn Europe, and even in the US, there are also many kids playing. But they are more worried about having the right equipment, a decent field. Then the coach is telling them how to position, how to kick the ball, how to guard the other player...\nIn Brazil, the poor kids have no equipment, they need to play in the streets with balls that are often made of old socks. This improves skills.\nMore importantly, no adult is telling them what to do, they find out the best way to play by themselves, and that brings innovation to the game.\nThe same happens in Africa and other Latin American countries, but the difference then is that, being Brazil a larger country, there are more kids playing.