“I love watching you ride”: How to be a great NICA parent

What we as coaches say to our student-athletes matters and impacts their experiences. What parents say to their student-athletes can make an even bigger impact and can influence their love of the sport. John O’Sullivan, founder of the Changing the Game Project and best-selling author asserts that the best thing a parent can say to a student-athlete after competition is “I love watching you play (ride)”.

What happens when parents want to know more about their student-athlete’s experiences? Or want to help them process and learn from their experience during a race or practice? NICA Family and Athlete Questions provides excellent suggestions that parents and families can ask their student-athletes after team activities or races. While many NICA coaches are parents, not all families have the opportunity to be coaches. Make sure to share this document with your families to help them have great conversations with their athletes!