The Lessons Learned from Youth Sports That Stats Do Not Show

When participating in youth sports, young athletes are able to learn many valuable life lessons. For many of these kids, these lessons learned from youth sports will stay with them throughout their entire life. Whether it is learning self-discipline, gaining leadership skills, or understanding self-control, these skills will help them become successful young adults.

I recently attended a youth game for middle schoolers.  I was there to watch because my kids are older now.  I overheard moms counting goals.  They were keeping stats.  I smiled to myself and walked away not because I am better than them but I understand the importance of stats to every team. However, as my daughter has progressed through different levels of leagues and teams, I have learned that the stats do not show everything.  

In a world full of data and middle school superstars, we have lost sight of the true reasons we have our children play sports and the valuable lessons that can be learned along the way.  I write as a mother and a coach who has coached various sports (softball and volleyball) at various levels from elementary to middle to high school over the course of 20 years. 

Through all of our focus on statistics, I have come to realize that the statistics that matter the most cannot be measured by numbers or data. Mental strength, leadership skills, hard work, and perseverance are life lessons learned that cannot be measured on a graph. It is the human factor, and that factor is the most important.

Losing Well

We have to allow our young athletes to lose, even if it is hard for them to do so. The best consequences are natural consequences. It is important to teach young players how to lose well.  Nobody enjoys losing, but most times, that is when we learn the most. Losing is a part of life.  It offers a time of reflection, humility, and a chance to do better.  That is what life is all about.

 Self Discipline  

Self-discipline is an important lesson that young athletes learn while playing sports. This is a lesson they will remember for the rest of their lives. Self-discipline teaches young athletes that hard work and dedication pay off. It is a lesson that teaches these kids that you have to work for the things you want to achieve, and it will not happen overnight.  In sports, these young athletes learn that showing up to practice and putting in the extra effort will help their team succeed. This is a lesson that teaches them to stay focused and that hard work and dedication can lead to success.  

Leadership Skills 

Leadership skills are another important lesson that is learned through participating in youth sports. As these young players work together on a team, they learn what it takes to be a leader. They learn how to be responsible, how to motivate and encourage their teammates, and how to work together to reach their goals.   Not only do young athletes learn the basics of leadership by participating in sports, but they also learn how to lead by example. This means being a good role model by having a good attitude, cheering on their teammates, and working hard. These traits help make and keep a strong team dynamic, and they also help the players stay focused and driven to do their best. 

Self-Control 

Another lesson that young athletes learn through participating in sports is self-control. This teaches young players the importance of making good decisions. It also helps them learn to overcome adversity, both on and off the court or field.   Young athletes learn that when they are faced with difficult situations, they should always remain in control of their emotions and stay positive. This helps them to stay focused on their game and avoid making bad decisions that can hurt their team. It also teaches them that mistakes happen and injuries happen, but it is how you react to them that will determine your success. 

Communication Intelligence

In a fast-paced world that highlights seven-second videos and attention spans of two seconds, communication is the secret sauce for success in personal and professional life. We don’t realize that we talk to each other all the time, but we feel less connected because of it.  Improving communication skills is an ongoing process that continues to be challenging as context changes.    Our kids need to know how to speak up for themselves, how to listen well, and how to say what they think in different ways.

At the end of the day, participating in youth sports is about having fun, but it is also about preparing young athletes for life and teaching them valuable lessons. Losing well, self-discipline, leadership skills, self-control, and communication intelligence are just a few of the lessons that young players can learn through participating in youth sports. It is important for parents to find good coaches that understand the importance of teaching these lessons and for athletes to understand that these lessons will not happen overnight – but with hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude, they can achieve their goals and have a successful career in sports.

These skills are learned in the smallest moments that create our lives.  The small moments build into bigger moments. When we help our young athletes develop the skills that nobody sees, we are setting them up for success long after the game is over.