06/02/2026
*Shared from a coach's post* 💜🏐🩵
I have a little bit of advice for the players and parents for any sport.
When you have a child that seems to not want to go to practices or workouts, this is a red flag. There's something else going on in their mind rather than them being lazy.
The reasons why can be many things.
So what can we do as parents to make them more comfortable with this issue?
The answer is simple. Nothing!
You cannot make them want to go.
You can't make them go.
You can't be the reason why they want to play!
You can't give them the passion for whatever they want to do in life.
It hurts to see them in this state, and I get that, but it needs to come from inside of them.
They need to get out of their comfort zone. They need to deal with all these uncomfortable situations in life. This makes them stronger, and it's a part of life.
Just be there to listen to them and tell them that it's about themselves and no one else. They need to find what makes them happy.
Now, if you are a player reading this, I have something that may help you out in your decision to go out for a sport.
You not showing up for practices looks bad.
You not giving full support to the teammates trying out with you looks bad.
You showing body language that says you don't want to work hard for something looks bad.
You showing up late looks bad.
You walking away or looking away from a coach while they are talking looks bad.
Giving excuses looks bad.
These things are a checkpoint for a coach.
The more you have checked off on that list makes it easier for the coach to not choose you.
As a coach, I can tell you this is how I see it.
I can spot talented and skilled players easily. What makes the final difference in who I would pick are as follows:
Attitude
Effort
And coachability
These are nothing new. I'm sure you have heard this many times, but what are these things exactly?
To make it simple:
Don't check off those things on that list!
Show up.
Show up early.
Work harder than the others.
Work on yourself at home.
Look your coach in the eye when they are talking or wanting you to fix something.
No excuses, just say, "Yes, coach."
Showing your teammates that you will go to war with them.
Love the hard workouts that you are doing with your teammates.
These show so much good character on your part that it will make it harder for a coach to turn you away!
Never make it easy for the coaches to decide you are not a good teammate.
Passion is your fuel for making a team that you want to play on. Nothing else will get in your way if that's what you want.