Sport is not only physically challenging, but can also be mentally challenging. Criticism

Sport is not only physically challenging, but can also be mentally challenging. Criticism from coaches, parents and other teammates, as well as pressure to win can create too much anxiety or stress for young athletes. Stress can be physical, emotional, or psychological and research has indicated that it can lead to burnout. Burnout has been described as dropping or quitting of an activity that was at one time enjoyable.

The early years of development are critical years for learning about oneself. The sport setting is one where valuable experiences can take place. Young athletes can, for example, learn how to cooperate with others, make friends, and gain other social skills that will be used throughout their lives. Coaches and parents should be aware, at all times, that their feedback to youngsters can greatly affect their children. Youngsters may take their parents’ and coaches’ criticisms to heart and find faults in themselves.

Coaches and parents should also be cautious that youth sport participation does not become work for children. The outcome of the game should not be more important than the process of learning the sport and other life lessons. In today’s youth sport setting young athletes may be worrying more about who will win instead of enjoying themselves and the sport. Following a game many parents and coaches focus on the outcome and find faults with youngsters’ performances. Positive support should be provided regardless of the outcome. Research indicates that positive support motivates and has a greater effect on learning than criticism. Again, criticism can create high levels of stress, which can lead to burnout.

6. An effective way to prevent the burnout of young athletes is　　　.

A. to make sport less competitive

B. to increase their sense of success

C. to reduce their mental stress

D. to make sport more challenging

7. According to the passage, sport is positive for young people in that　　　.

A. it can help them learn more about society

B. it enables them to find faults in themselves

C. it can provide them with valuable experiences

D. it teaches them how to set realistic goals for themselves

8. Many coaches and parents are in the habit of criticizing young athletes　　　.

A. believing that criticism is beneficial for their early development

B. without realizing criticism may destroy their self-confidence

C. in order to make them remember life’s lessons

D. so as to put more pressure on them

9. According to the passage, parents and coaches should　　　.

A. pay more attention to letting children enjoy sport

B. help children to win every game

C. train children to cope with stress

D. enable children to understand the positive aspect of sport

10. The author’s purpose of writing the passage is　　　.

A. to teach young athletes how to avoid burnout

B. to persuade young children not to worry about criticism

C. to stress the importance of positive support to children

D. to discuss the skill of combining criticism with encouragement

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