Question: Follow up response on the two-part no min word count
Part 1: Part One: When I was a kid, and participating in sports programs, the biggest influence of whether or not I would continue or discontinue the sport was the influence that the coach had on the athletes. For example, if the coach would freak out and lose sight of coaching versus his own personal ego, chances are that I would continue the sport under a different coach. This could be as simple as changing positions on the baseball team so that I would have a different position coach or more serious to where I would swap teams.
Part Two: There are several anxiety reduction strategies that a coach or mentor could use with children. Some examples are:
- Creating an environment where the constructive associations used with the kids are constructive instead of negative.
- Focusing on winning, and working on evaluations between coach and athlete; not in front of others.
- Utilizing child developmental psychology techniques to maintain healthy consistency, such as imagery.
Proactively using these techniques allows the coach to create an environment that creates happy young athletes, who strive for success while limiting negative social influence and retains the athletes for a much longer and more consistent rate.
Part Three: Typically, athletes can react aggressively for strategic nuance, out of passionate competition, or they will not react out of a harmonious balance. The socially learned cues of higher planes of masculinity, combined with the heightened nervous system and endocrine functions of hormone release (including epinephrine and testosterone) can stimulate a violently aggressive response.
Part 2: Throughout my grade school years I found myself participating in many sports. I often did not volunteer myself for these activities but was asked if I would like to join up. I think my parents wanted me to stay active and out of trouble.
After being involved in multiple sport activities throughout the week I decided that I needed to give up one. I made this decision because of feeling overwhelmed. I had to go to practice while also having to do homework, and having little time to relax before bed. The stress made me want some additional time for myself. I ended up giving up one of my activities.
When children feel stress with in sports the coach or adult figure must know their players. You must know their likes and dislikes.
Breathing techniques: Deep breathing is the body's natural reaction to stress. This makes it the natural choice for children. You can practice breathing deeply, holding it, and slowly releasing the breath as a group or individually. You could teach the kids to use it as necessary.
Visualization: This technique uses one's imagination to keep calm thoughts and in turn relaxes your mind. This method can be useful, children often watch many animated shows that give them enjoyment. You could ask them to imagine something which will cause them to calm down their mind and their muscles.
Stretching: Not only can stretching prevent injury, it can help you relax. I consider stretching to be similar to yoga. Yoga can be advanced for children. Stretching can be implanted instead, if you combine this technique with breathing exercises it will be a great way to release unneeded tension.
People have different reasons for acting aggressively frustration, fear, insecurity, and etc. Everyone is different and therefore have varying emotional levels.
As the coach of a team you should know your players better than anyone else. You are with them most as they compete so you should be able to tell when their aggression is about to boil over. It is your responsibility to remove the player from this situation if possible. They player could put themselves in a position to harm themselves or others.