5 Things Never to Say to Your Teenager During their Sporting Event
Maggie is the UK leading Fitness Coach for Teens. As a teenager she was a member of the British Sailing Team.
She is no stranger to competitive sport for teens and knows just how essential parental support is.
However, sometimes parents get it wrong and say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Here Maggie shares her top 5 things never to say to your teenager during their sporting event.
1. Don’t Mention What Happened Last Time
So your teen’s been here before she’s in pole position going into the final event, or he’s finally off the subs bench and the teams in the lead. Last time it all went wrong in the closing stages. Whatever you do don’t mention last time. Your teen doesn’t need reminding. Instead stick to positive comments only – no negative comments allowed.
2. Don’t Change the Plan
If your teen never eats during a cycle race now is not the time to suggest a snack. Changes to routine should always be introduced during training.
3. Don’t Criticize the Competition
The most successful sports men and women tend to be friends with everyone involved in the sport. This season’s main competition may be next seasons training partner. Avoid making personal comments.
4. Let Them Focus
Now is not the time to mention the maths homework that needs to be done by tomorrow morning.
5. Stay in the Moment
There’s time for celebration after the event is finished and a podium position or personal best secured. Now is not the time to be talking about the future. Don’t ask “what will you do when you’ve won” or “what’s the next step now it didn’t go so well” until another day.
Maggie Ayre is the UKs leading Fitness Coach for Teen Girls. As well as one-to-one and small group nutrition and fitness work with teens she has developed the 3G Program designed to be run at schools as part of the PE curriculum. She also offers mentoring for PE departments on how to re-engage teen girls with PE and has recently published her third book; “Nutrition for Exam Success – A Parent’s Guide” which is now available as a Kindle and paperback at Amazon.
Maggie is the UK leading Fitness Coach for Teens. As a teenager she was a member of the British Sailing Team.
She is no stranger to competitive sport for teens and knows just how essential parental support is.
However, sometimes parents get it wrong and say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Here Maggie shares her top 5 things never to say to your teenager during their sporting event.
1. Don’t Mention What Happened Last Time
So your teen’s been here before she’s in pole position going into the final event, or he’s finally off the subs bench and the teams in the lead. Last time it all went wrong in the closing stages. Whatever you do don’t mention last time. Your teen doesn’t need reminding. Instead stick to positive comments only – no negative comments allowed.
2. Don’t Change the Plan
If your teen never eats during a cycle race now is not the time to suggest a snack. Changes to routine should always be introduced during training.
3. Don’t Criticize the Competition
The most successful sports men and women tend to be friends with everyone involved in the sport. This season’s main competition may be next seasons training partner. Avoid making personal comments.
4. Let Them Focus
Now is not the time to mention the maths homework that needs to be done by tomorrow morning.
5. Stay in the Moment
There’s time for celebration after the event is finished and a podium position or personal best secured. Now is not the time to be talking about the future. Don’t ask “what will you do when you’ve won” or “what’s the next step now it didn’t go so well” until another day.
Maggie Ayre is the UKs leading Fitness Coach for Teen Girls. As well as one-to-one and small group nutrition and fitness work with teens she has developed the 3G Program designed to be run at schools as part of the PE curriculum. She also offers mentoring for PE departments on how to re-engage teen girls with PE and has recently published her third book; “Nutrition for Exam Success – A Parent’s Guide” which is now available as a Kindle and paperback at Amazon.
