My youngest is asking me to give him a pep talk before each home game. Honestly, the idea of it is wonderful, but the execution has me stressed. I am not very good at pep talks. I was never that kind of hype coach. I had the chant–I can lock in on a script–but to freestyle and really say something inspiring may be beyond my can. Still, I will go out there tomorrow and attempt to do my part to help him lock in and be successful as his 15 yr old confidence starts to take form. He needs the help. He isn’t him yet. He needs to believe in the ability he has in order to be successful, and he hasn’t quite gotten to that point. Partially that is my fault. He’s often the best player on a good team. He and his brother played with kids who are being featured on Saturdays now, and he feels like those kids all surpassed him. The ones from his grade/team already all have multiple collegiate offers and trips, etc. Heck, one just was named high school player of the week… for the nation. I would argue that starting alongside these giants would show him that he is that guy too, but he feels more like an imposter.
I’ve experienced imposter syndrome my entire life, and I was never as good as these boys are. Yet I don’t know how to shake that feeling or shake him feeling like he isn’t ‘that guy’. He feeds on success, so once he gets going it is going to be fine. He just needs to get there. That is why he’s asking for that pep talk. That is why I need to figure out how to deliver.
You dad the way you need to dad, and for me, this is the way I need to dad right now. This is what is going to help him step forward. He needs support and encouragement, so I am going to provide exactly that.