My DD#1 is the hardest working, sweetest of my 3 DD's. Yet she is the one struggling at the moment with attitude on the field. She is having major breakdowns when she makes a mistake and its killing the fun and effort for the rest of the game. I know a lot of you have been there and I need some advice...
She has always been hard on herself but she never saw herself as the better player but the "developing player" so she looked up to the better players and took mistakes as learning opportunities and while she got down on herself she got herself back up and tried harder.. she worked so hard that she is now one of the "better" players (not the best in the league by far but on the better side)
She is now not taking mistakes well and sees it as black and white and as total failure.. she is overly hard on herself (weak hit to short and its a meltdown... caught looking on strike 3 and its the end of the world) - She knows the negative spiral just kills her for the rest of the game (more mistakes more lack of focus etc) and acknowledges it doesnt help BUT she is 11 yrs old and is still not at the age where she can fully control the emotions...
The advice I need is how to be supportive and help her control the emotions... the stern loud coach "there is no crying in softball".. stop the crying, stop the pouting shake it off youll do better next time isnt working.. stop being so hard on yourself etc is just not registering at the moment... what words of wisdom can be said in the dugout to help them control the emotions and allow them channel mistakes positively and with a smile on their face?
Yes Im sure its the age but Im about to leave the dugout as i find the negativity frustrating specially from such a sweet kid.... and yes the problem may be me and I should just let her pout but I have no patience for it....
Sorry for the long post just need advice as a dad not a coach
She has always been hard on herself but she never saw herself as the better player but the "developing player" so she looked up to the better players and took mistakes as learning opportunities and while she got down on herself she got herself back up and tried harder.. she worked so hard that she is now one of the "better" players (not the best in the league by far but on the better side)
She is now not taking mistakes well and sees it as black and white and as total failure.. she is overly hard on herself (weak hit to short and its a meltdown... caught looking on strike 3 and its the end of the world) - She knows the negative spiral just kills her for the rest of the game (more mistakes more lack of focus etc) and acknowledges it doesnt help BUT she is 11 yrs old and is still not at the age where she can fully control the emotions...
The advice I need is how to be supportive and help her control the emotions... the stern loud coach "there is no crying in softball".. stop the crying, stop the pouting shake it off youll do better next time isnt working.. stop being so hard on yourself etc is just not registering at the moment... what words of wisdom can be said in the dugout to help them control the emotions and allow them channel mistakes positively and with a smile on their face?
Yes Im sure its the age but Im about to leave the dugout as i find the negativity frustrating specially from such a sweet kid.... and yes the problem may be me and I should just let her pout but I have no patience for it....
Sorry for the long post just need advice as a dad not a coach