Reply To: Competitiveness

[Robert Mattson]

4paw, I coach several of my young children and have found that the best approach for them is "less is more." The less I initiate conversation about their performance, the more enthusiastic they are about playing their sports. For children that are not naturally aggressive, I think confidence and competitiveness can be developed over time as a child starts to experience small successes (winning a loose puck, making a poke check). I saw my children's competitiveness in hockey grow as a result of success in other sports, like house league soccer and swimming, that are not nearly as intense as AAA hockey. So, my recommendation would be to try to bring out the competitiveness by participating in other, less intense sports leagues. Another suggestion, but one I have no experience with, would be to drop down to the AA or A level so that your son is more likely to start experiencing the small successes in games that grow confidence and competitiveness.