I want to join the soccer team at school, but Im too scared to try out. Will you give me some advice so that I wont be so scared?
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I want to join the soccer team at school, but I'm too scared to try out. Will you give me some advice so that I won't be so scared?
Samfish
Samfish,
First of all, I want to say good for you for deciding that joining your school soccer team is something you might like to do! Joining a team – any kind of sports team – is a great way to stay fit and healthy, make new friends and have a lot of fun!
The second thing I want to tell you is that it’s perfectly normal to feel scared when you’re about to try or do something new. We all feel scared – kids, adults, pro athletes – everyone! And the other piece of good news I have for you is that fear is totally easy to overcome – just think how some day soon you will look back and smile when you think about how scared you were to try out for the soccer team. It won’t seem like a big deal anymore once you’ve done it!
But I know that since you haven’t tried out yet, it still seems scary. Here are some things you can do to hopefully make you feel less nervous to try out for the team.
Make a List
Sometimes it helps to write down all the things that scare you about trying something new. Once you see your fears and the reason for your fears in writing, they may seem less important or less scary to you. Another thing you can do is talk to an adult or friend about the things that scare you, instead of writing them down.
Buddy Up
Instead of trying out for the soccer team alone, why not recruit a friend or two to try out with you? Having friends and support around you when you are about to do something scary makes things easier – especially if they’re doing it, too!
Admit It
If you feel comfortable enough to do so, you may want to talk to the coach or person who will be in charge of the soccer tryouts ahead of time, and let him or her know how you are feeling. Then, when you go to try out, you’ll know the person in charge is aware that you’re nervous and can help you get through it.
Practice Lots
Another way to squash fear is to become really confident in your own self and abilities. In this case, I’d say practice your soccer skills as much as you can in the days leading up to the tryout. When you know you’re good at what you do and you have confidence in your ability to help out the team, you won’t feel as scared anymore to try out.
Just Do It!
Sometimes all the thinking and practice in the world won’t make you feel less scared about something that really makes you nervous. In this case, all you can do is just put your chin up and go through with it! It may take a bit of convincing – that is, you convincing yourself – but once you go through tryouts I promise it will be something you’ll look back on and think, “That wasn’t so bad after all!”
I strongly encourage you to face and conquer your fears, Smallfish, and try out for the soccer team. Just think of the fun you’ll have once you’ve made it!
Do you need tips or advice on sports, fitness or health? Send it to the Kidzworld Coach. Keep in mind peeps, the Kidzworld Coach isn't a doctor or a professional athlete or anything like that. He's just a dude who digs sports, plays 'em and knows a lot about 'em. You should always talk to your 'rents, a doctor or your school gym teacher before starting a new sport or a new exercise.
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