In today's competitive world of high school baseball, it can be harder than ever to receive a coveted college scholarship. Although the onus of the burden lies with the student-athlete, parents also play a critical role in helping their son to achieve their dream of playing the game beyond high school. Here are four ways that you can support your teen's aspirations to play college baseball:
Practice Good Time Management
Effective time management is a learned behavior. Parents can help their athlete succeed both in the classroom and on the field by equipping them with the knowledge to most effectively manage their time and prioritize their schedule. The high school guidance counselor is also a great resource to help teach your athlete how to successfully balance the demands of school and sports.
Develop an Online Presence
In today's increasingly connected world, it is becoming more important than ever to develop an online presence for your athlete designed to highlight their athletic achievements. Numerous video compilation services make splicing all these highlights together easy and convenient. In addition to highlight videos, be sure to continually be reminding your teenager to be mindful of their social media presence and how it affects their reputation.
Research Online School Options
Rising baseball players are faced with a variety of time constraints when balancing the rigors of traditional school with the demands of practice. An online high school might be an alternative for a teen who wants more time to practice while still getting a good education. Not only will this educational route allow your child to work at his own pace, but it will also deliver more flexibility in his schedule to be able to fit in more time with trainers.
Nurture the Mental Game
Coaches are pretty good at suggesting things your kid can do differently in the physical department. They're going to be there to help them develop their bodies and abilities to the maximum. So, you might get a coach who has some suggestions on small things that might bleed into your child's personal life. If they feel like your child's current contacts aren't great, they might suggest sports contacts, as they can help with ball perception and other vision issues regular contacts provide. In which case, you will probably listen to your child's coach. Similar instances to that example might happen, and you should take it stride, because you're there for an entirely different purpose.
While your son's coaches are equipped to train your athlete physically, you are often the best resource for the mental challenges that come with the game. As a parent, it is your job to ensure that your son remains focused and engaged in the sport. Empowering your son with the necessary confidence to succeed can pay big dividends down the road.
In the end, the best thing that you can do for your student-athlete is to be their number one fan. Your job as a parent is to encourage and support and be the person your son most needs you to be.