Sports encouragements

[rubytue]

Not sure how to title this… this weekend I’m going to a tournament as the “mom” for all my “kids” (age 26-32) and the dad, age 55. Which will put me as the person who gets to bring water and talk to them during the 1 minute breaks (only one person allowed). 

I feel really silly asking this, but I’m a typical cynical genXer and positive affirmation are not in my regular vocabulary. I don’t even like hearing them and they don’t help me. Aside from Go! You got this! and other cliché stuff. Help me! What do I say!

Yes, I’m bringing the oranges 🤣

(me and the “dad” were at a tournament and one of the young ones showed up to cheer, and someone actually asked if we were her parents… which started the joke about our kids)

[shauni27]

I have no idea what is going on here, lol.

But I do love when my coach tells me she is proud of me. Another one that is good is "no one is working harder than you are" said to the whole group.

[hermione]

One of my coaches always ended pre-round coaching with, "Good luck. Don't suck." It always made me laugh.

[jinkies]

I think you are overthinking this.

I usually tell my kids some variation of "Go out there and kill it" before they compete.

"You got this" is like nails on a chalkboard to me for some reason.

I don't think you need canned motivational speeches. Just the act of showing up for them is a huge sign of support. Beyond that, just say whatever naturally comes out of your mouth in the one-minute breaks.

[rubytue]

Feb 8, 2024 12:54:00 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

I have no idea what is going on here, lol.

But I do love when my coach tells me she is proud of me. Another one that is good is "no one is working harder than you are" said to the whole group.

Like I said… I have no idea how to title it and feel silly asking. lol and, in typical Ruby fashion, gave way more background than needed. 

but, I think you got the jist. Thank you! 

[sugarbear1]

If your "kids" are over the age of 25, I guarantee they will get a kick out of whatever you yell. Most of my encouragements are baseball specific. In general, I like:
Way to work!
You got this!
All you, all you!
Proud of you!
Be a hitter / wall / player / leader!

[missva]

"This is your moment!"

[archiethedragon]

You're poking the other person so well. Keep it up.


You're feinting is flawless.

[rubytue]

jinkies, yeah, you got this bugs me, too. Probably because sometimes, practical me knows they don’t.

[Jalapeñomel]

What’s the sport?

These are all grown ups?

[deadwing]

Have you asked "the kids" how you can best support them? You might get good feedback as to phrases they like and dislike. But really, showing up and having some supportive words is probably enough.

[Patsy Baloney]

I’d bring posters. I’d go full Jason Kelce. Body paint. Tailgating nonsense.

Whenever I cheer for my nephew at sports I know nothing about, I just yell things that are probably appropriate, but sometimes you’re yelling for a touchdown at basketball. It’s ok.

And my nephew always hugs me afterwards no matter how obnoxious I am and I always tell him I’m proud of him.

[Bad Dingo]

Feb 8, 2024 12:58:54 GMT -5 archiethedragon said:

You're poking the other person so well. Keep it up.

This is the only correct response.

[sofamonkey]

It’s fencing, if I recall. How about, “go out there and touch them all over!”

And I think bringing orange slices is awesome!

[7costanza]

Are you actually going to be cheering, or just making private comments on the break? If the latter you could point out something specific they did particularly well prior to the one minute break and something like “keep up the good work”

[followyourarrow]

I get to have someone like this during archery, depending on the tournament. I require a peptalk from them before the tournament starts, something simple like you know what you're doing, just stay focused and go out there and shoot. My favorite "coach" and I have a little good luck ritual, think fist bump or something equally as awkward and weird. For my breaks between shooting, I need water then a protein snack about half way through. Remind me that I can do this, I know what I'm doing, and to check my form. My favorite advice I've received in the middle of a tournament is to put the sight in the middle and shoot. Keep it all simple!

[livinitup]

You can ring a cow bell. Or make a poster. Street chalk to decorate your spot is popular, too.

[sonrisa]

With my actual kids, our swim coach always recommends keeping positive and not about performance (he suggests saying ‘I love to watch you swim’) but I don’t know that applies here.

I second going all Travis Kielce with a big poster board sign with their names, body paint, and lots of very loud yelling. Fencing is all about the rowdy fans.

[rubytue]

Thanks everyone for humoring my weird overthinking/anxiety issue of the day 🤣

Yes, fencing. I got the sport aspect of it. But I was talking with one and he said he would want positive affirmations and identifying patterns I saw. The later, I got. But then I was totally overthinking what I think about positive affirmations (e.g.,, you got this when you are down 2-12 or something) and like.., WTF?! This is so not my wheelhouse.

And yes, all adults. The kids/mom/dad thing is kind of a fun joke we have.

[followyourarrow]

I try to make my archery score about doing my best, keeping good form, making good shots, etc, and don't focus on score. I never talk about score during a tournament, because then it gets in my head. That being said, I still know when I'm behind my competition. In that case I want my coach to tell me to keep going, do my best, finish strong.

[Susie]

For road races I love funny signs.  I am not sure how that translates to fencing.

[havarti]

“Your name is Inigo Montoya. S/he kill your father.”

“What they don’t know is that you’re not right handed!” (The double negative is okay here as it will further confuse the opponent.)

[mrsukyankee]

Feb 8, 2024 14:45:43 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Thanks everyone for humoring my weird overthinking/anxiety issue of the day 🤣

Yes, fencing. I got the sport aspect of it. But I was talking with one and he said he would want positive affirmations and identifying patterns I saw. The later, I got. But then I was totally overthinking what I think about positive affirmations (e.g.,, you got this when you are down 2-12 or something) and like.., WTF?! This is so not my wheelhouse.

And yes, all adults. The kids/mom/dad thing is kind of a fun joke we have.

I would totally love joke affirmations in this situation. Honestly, I loved it from my dad when he saw me playing field hockey in London. "Go kid. You can do this thing. You are a rockstar. Wahoo" All of those lovely thoughts. Have fun with it!

[fernweh]

I don’t have specific affirmations I just want to say that I think it’s great you’re going. While my parents always made an effort to attend my sporting events/ extra curricular activities as a kid, they have never shown up to any sport type thing as an adult. That in and of itself would mean the world to me.