I’ve coached an estimated 10,000 kids over the years, and the one thing that I see time and time again is young athletes losing confidence because of their experiences in the game. It’s heartbreaking, and I’m here to say we need to stop putting our kids in situations that steal their hopes, dreams, and motivation to play.
I’m Coach Donald Watts of Watts Basketball—former Washington State Player of the Year and college basketball player at the University of Washington, where I helped my team reach the Sweet 16. Now, as a trainer, I’m on a mission to educate parents and players. Too many young athletes are being placed in environments that crush their confidence and I want to shed light on how we can avoid those situations and give our kids the support they need to thrive.
These are the 3 most common reasons that your kids lose their confidence:
1. Defining Players Too Early
I’ve seen it happen repeatedly: players get labeled, pigeonholed, or thrown into competitive situations long before they’ve even learned the fundamentals. These kids are often told who they are before they’ve had the chance to figure it out for themselves. I remember when my own son was in a league and was instructed to stand in the corner as a two-guard at just seven or eight years old. I told him after that season, “We’re done.”
No one is going to define who he is except him, and I’m here to guide him in discovering his potential, not limit it.
2. Competitive Pressure Before They’re Ready
Youth sports often rush to assign roles, way too early. When kids are forced into boxes before they’re ready, it can kill their confidence. Another major issue is putting kids in competitive situations before they even know how to play and when they don’t succeed, they’re scolded for not performing up to standard, and the joy of the game is lost.
“Winning is irrelevant if you don’t know how to play.”
3. The Importance of Positive Coaching
As a coach, it’s crucial to be patient and let kids learn through their mistakes. If your child isn’t enjoying basketball, or any sport for that matter, it’s often because they’ve had negative experiences with adults who focus too much on winning rather than teaching. Think about your favorite subjects in school. Chances are, you were drawn to them because of a positive experience with a teacher, not because the subject itself was magical. Sports work the same way. Kids need guidance, encouragement, and a nurturing environment to build confidence and grow.
Introducing the Watts Basketball Academy!
In my years of experience, I’ve seen parents invest thousands of dollars hoping for their kids to succeed, only to watch them get stifled in programs that don’t foster growth.
This is why I created the Watts Basketball Academy. Our program is designed to help kids build confidence, develop their love for the game, and improve their skills. We prioritize growth and learning in every opportunity. Every time your child is challenged, it’s a chance to learn and grow.
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One thing I’m most proud of as a parent is that both of my kids earned college basketball scholarships and have NCAA tournament experience. And you know what their coaches say? “Their confidence is incredible.” Why? Because I protected them from environments that would limit their potential and made sure they stayed focused on their own work ethic and goals.
When my son had a rough day at practice recently, he called me and said, “Dad, I’m going to the gym to work on it.” That’s the kind of self-motivation and passion we want to instill in all our players—not just for basketball but for life. The challenges kids face on the court are the same ones they’ll face in life. It’s how they handle those challenges that will determine their success.
The Role of Parents and Coaches
Parents, if you want your kids to have that kind of drive, confidence, and motivation, then you need to place them in environments where coaches understand the bigger picture. That’s why I created the Watts Academy. We don’t just play games; we prepare. We use every failure as a stepping stone, helping kids grow stronger, more determined, and more confident with each challenge.
Being competitive isn’t about the size of the check you write or the label on your jersey. It’s about preparation, learning from failures, and continuously striving to improve. It’s about embracing the journey, not just the wins.