Helping Kids Believe They Can Overcome Hard Things Through Youth Sports

Dec 8, 20243 min read

In the realm of youth sports, there’s an incredible opportunity to teach kids life skills that extend far beyond the field or court. One of the most transformative lessons is instilling a belief in their ability to overcome hard things. Developing grit—the combination of passion and perseverance—can empower young athletes to thrive in sports and in life. Here’s how coaches can foster this belief in their players.

Learn how to build their belief that they can overcome hard things:

Understanding Grit: A Foundation for Perseverance

Dr. Angela Duckworth, in her seminal book Grit, identifies three critical components for developing perseverance:

Deep Interest: Genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for an activity.
Purpose: A sense of meaning, whether the activity impacts the individual or others.
Belief: Confidence in one’s ability to overcome challenges.

When these elements align, young athletes naturally develop the resilience to face hard things, transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth.

Strategies for Coaches to Build Grit in Young Athletes

1. Be Patient

Developing grit is a gradual process. Kids come to sports with varying levels of interest and willingness to persevere. As a coach, meet them where they are:

Celebrate small wins. For a beginner, successfully kicking the ball after a few failed attempts is a victory worth acknowledging.
Nurture interest alongside grit. Early successes can deepen a child’s curiosity and commitment to the sport.
Build their belief incrementally. Think of it as laying bricks: each small achievement is another layer in their foundation of confidence.

Patience allows young athletes to grow at their own pace, making the journey rewarding and sustainable.

2. Acknowledge Success

Recognizing achievements, especially when kids overcome challenges, has a twofold benefit:

Encourages resilience: Highlighting their successes creates positive associations, even in the face of failure.
Reinforces grit: When you celebrate moments like mastering a skill or bouncing back from a tough game, kids internalize the message, I can overcome hard things.

For example, applaud a child who gets up after a fall or keeps practicing a skill they once struggled with. These moments of triumph, big or small, build a self-identity rooted in perseverance.

3. Create a Culture Free of Fear of Failure

Failure is a natural part of growth, but fear of it can stifle progress. Coaches play a pivotal role in shaping how kids perceive failure:

Avoid harsh reactions to mistakes. Whether it’s a missed shot or a forgotten drill, respond with understanding and encouragement.
Foster a safe environment. When kids feel secure in failing, they are more likely to learn and grow from those experiences.
Reframe failure as a step toward success. Teach kids to view setbacks as opportunities for improvement and self-discovery.

Encouraging this mindset transforms failure from a source of shame into a stepping stone toward achievement.

4. Teach an Internal Monologue of Resilience

Guide kids in developing a positive self-dialogue to navigate hard moments. For example:

Ask reflective questions: “How does this challenge feel?” or “Do you remember a time you overcame something similar?”
Reinforce progress: “You stuck with it before, and you succeeded. Let’s do it again!”

These conversations help kids build an internal script of perseverance, making them more likely to tackle future challenges with confidence.

Why It Matters

Helping kids develop grit doesn’t just prepare them for sports—it equips them to thrive in all areas of life. When young athletes learn to embrace challenges, recover from failures, and persist with purpose, they are more likely to enjoy their sports experience and succeed on game day. Even more importantly, they carry these skills into adulthood, ready to overcome life’s inevitable hurdles.

Coaching for Grit: A Win-Win

By fostering grit, you’re not just helping your athletes perform better; you’re preparing them to excel beyond the field. A gritty child is one who loves their sport, improves continuously, and faces life with confidence and resilience.

As a coach, you have the unique power to instill these values, one practice, one game, one small victory at a time. Together, we can raise a generation of gritty kids ready to thrive in sports and in life.