Things You'll Need:
- Time, patience and a positive attitude.
- Special shoes and equipment may have to be purchased.
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Step 1
Let the sport be your child’s choice. A girl who wants to play soccer will not thrive on a tennis court.
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Step 2
Acquire teaching aids. You’ll need a list of the official rules for your child’s sport. Many libraries even have videos on coaching specific sports skills
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Step 3
Compliment and encourage. Whenever your child performs a skill, let the first thing you utter be positive praise. “That’s great!” Any coaching suggestion you make will be better received if it begins with a compliment. “You throw the football very well. I bet you could throw even farther if you hold your finger tips on the laces.”
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Step 4
Use patience as your child figures out how to execute skills. “Oh almost! Now line up your feet,” is preferable to, “no, you missed again. Look where your feet are.” The most difficult skill in all of sports is hitting a baseball. The first time your child comes up to bat, it may take thirty or forty pitches to get a hit.
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Step 5
Join a team. Find out when your community center holds leagues for your child’s sport. It will be your responsibility to get him there and signed up.
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Step 6
Go to practices and watch what your child is doing. Ask the coach what she can do at home to further develop skills.
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Step 7
Take an assistant coaches position for your child’s team. Athletic programs for children are staffed largely, if not entirely, by volunteers. You don’t have to be an expert to help, but you can learn a lot.
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Step 8
Be at every game! Officially designated competitions are the showcase for skills your child has learned and practiced. Your presence will enhance their desire to perform.
