COURTESY – TIM TURK https://www.hockeyskillstraining.com/
Minor hockey tryouts are an intense, stressful time for all hockey players. They only get one shot to demonstrate their skills, impress the coaches, and accomplish a huge goal for the season—to make the team they’ve had their eye on. All the kids are striving to perform their very best while facing the pressures of competition and expectation, both from themselves and from their friends and family members.
On top of all the stress the hockey tryouts cause the players, it also stresses out the parents! Seeing their children succeed and accomplish their goals is incredibly fulfilling, and every parent wants their kid to be happy in whatever they choose to do in life. Happiness would undoubtedly find its way to any minor hockey player with a successful tryout process. So, even though the kids are emotionally invested in their tryouts, their parents do as well. Below are some tips for hockey parents on keeping themselves and their children sane during the tryout process.
Remain Positive and Be Supportive
One of the best things you can do for your child during hockey tryouts is to remain positive. Filling them with false hope about their prospects isn’t a good idea, but it is certainly possible to avoid doing so while keeping a positive outlook about the whole thing. You can encourage them about their performance and remind them that the primary purpose of the entire process is to enjoy themselves; it will make a world of difference.
Your children look up to you and will most likely copy your attitude about their hockey tryouts. If you’re stressed and feeling pessimistic about it, so will they, but if you’re hopeful and encouraging, they will be, too. A positive attitude won’t completely eliminate the stress they’re feeling, but it will make a huge difference.
Give the Coach Some Space
It’s common practice for some parents to try and “sell” their child to the coach while the tryouts go on. While the coach will often listen to the things these parents have to say, they hardly ever make a difference in the coach’s final decision for their team. Your child’s performance will speak volumes and should be the only factor influencing a coach’s decision about putting your child on their team. So, try to leave the coach alone for the most part during the tryouts and to keep in mind that the things you have to say probably won’t make a difference anyway.
If your child isn’t selected for the team they try out for, emailing or talking to the coach afterward to ask for feedback is fine. It can often be beneficial for your child’s personal development. Just try not to bother the coach too much while the tryouts occur. They have a heck of a lot on their plate as it is.
Keep a Healthy Perspective
It’s easy for players and their parents to get caught up in the tryout process. True, they are essential and sometimes can give your child opportunities if they decide to pursue hockey. But hockey tryouts should never cause a crazy amount of panic or stress to you or your kid. Try always to keep a healthy perspective and remember that the tryouts aren’t all that important compared to many things your child will do in their life. This point can certainly help preserve your sanity throughout the process.
Make Sure Your Child Stays Healthy
Of course, children need guidance all throughout their lives. They need help with important decisions, such as what to eat, knowing what is safe, etc. But this is especially true during hockey tryouts, when your child’s health may determine their performance and, ultimately, their success.
While hockey tryouts are going on, your child will be apprehensive and focused on hockey. They will probably need extra help ensuring they are eating correctly and getting enough sleep, and that’s where you come in. If you take the extra step to ensure your child stays healthy the entire time, they will be more at ease about the whole process, which will be reflected in their performance during the tryouts.
Yes, hockey tryouts are difficult and stressful, but a lot of good can come from them. They are an opportunity for your child to learn and improve on their weaknesses, network with teammates and coaches, and have fun playing the sport they love. So, if you follow the above tips and help your child as much as possible through the entire process, tryouts can go from a period of fear and stress to a period of positivity and immense personal growth.
