10 Things to Consider Before & After Games in the Car

Car rides are a unique aspect of youth basketball and are actually a large part of the entire experience. It is the only time a player and parents will interact in this setting as 9-year-olds through 14-year-olds (in our program). As players get older and progress along their athletic careers, games and interactions will be more secluded and team-oriented; teams riding the bus to and from games, practices being set after school in private, and players driving themselves to and from practices and other events. This time goes quickly, so let’s make sure we are not only cherishing it but also using this time to build healthy relationships together through the game! 

Here are 10 things to consider on the car ride to and from games to get the most out of it:

Before a Game

1. Wake Up & Fuel Up!
   We do not want to waste any opportunities to get better throughout our short season. Just because it is an 8am game or early morning does not give us an excuse! Be ready to play wherever they schedule us. On the car ride, make sure you aren’t sleeping up until the point of getting to the parking lot of the gym. Wake up, eat a good breakfast or meal 2-3 hours before game time, get hydrated, and stretch. Parents can help ensure kids are physically ready by preparing a healthy meal, encouraging hydration, and promoting a relaxed and focused atmosphere before tip-off.
2. Encourage a Growth Mindset
   Ensure they are being reminded of what we consider wins: attitude and effort! Get out there, play hard, listen to your coach, and be a good teammate. Parents can model this mindset by staying calm and positive themselves, especially when challenges arise during games. Demonstrating resilience and composure teaches kids how to handle adversity both on and off the court while we all become better people. 
3. Keep It Positive & Light
   Using things like “I love you no matter what” or “I can’t wait to watch you play” are good ways to take pressure off the outcome and put more focus on making sure the kids are playing hard and having fun, no matter what the score is.
4. Establish Some Goals
   In keeping with the theme of keeping it light and positive before games, it is a good idea for our dedicated players to set goals before a day in the gym. Keep these goals achievable! One could be, “I want you to have to ask the coach to take you out of the game because you are so tired.” Or, “I want to see you help your teammates up off the floor 5 times.” Again, this takes outcome-related goals and unnecessary pressure away from the game and allows you to have a fun conversation and be creative together for some easy goals to achieve that will inevitably help your team.
5. Let Them Go
   I love seeing kids being dropped off at the front door and running into the gym to find their teammates. Encourage them to take care of things themselves while in the gym and to go do whatever the team is doing. This builds independence and confidence in young athletes, showing that parents trust them to handle their responsibilities. It also reinforces respect for the team environment—a key value in fostering a strong and respectable program. Your only job should be to support the team and cheer them on positively!
   Another point here is being ready for the day. Make sure the kids have water bottles, jerseys, maybe a snack in their ball bag so that they have everything they need and they are prepared to take care of themselves. This simple act builds responsibility and confidence in young athletes, reinforcing the importance of independence and trust.

After a Game

1. No Blame Game
   Win or lose, only look inward. Do not blame coaches, refs, opposing teams, teammates, tournament directors, etc., for anything. Every single thing that happens on tourney weekends should be used for growth and development. There is a lesson in every action.
   NO BAD GAMES, ONLY LESSONS LEARNED AND CHARACTER EARNED.​
2. Celebrate the Effort
   As long as the players played hard and had a good attitude, it was a good day in the gym. Be sure to acknowledge that and reassure them that it is the only thing that matters. Celebrate small victories too, like improvements in teamwork, attitude, or effort, not just big plays or wins. These moments help build confidence and reinforce positive habits in our young athletes.
   If effort and attitude were not on par, this should be addressed. “I think your attitude and effort could have been better; let’s work on that for the next game.”
3. Let Them Lead the Conversations
   Ask questions and let them lead the conversation on a certain part of the game. Let them analyze it. Sometimes the players need space, but they should be able to take some main points away from the game and have a conversation about them.
4. Be a Teammate, Not a Coach
   Parents have a huge role to play in upholding the culture of youth teams and ensuring adherence to it. The coaching role is already taken care of, so focus on fostering the right environment for your athlete and their teammates. Show the athlete support during the car ride by telling them how much you appreciate team-oriented actions, like cheering for their teammates, making unselfish plays, or showing great sportsmanship. These reminders reinforce the value of being a great teammate and help them take pride in their role on the team. Be their biggest fan!​
5. OFF PHONE
   Both stay off your phone and talk to your young hooper! You only get a short amount of time in this stage of your child's life, so be there for it and make sure they are present, too (off iPad or iPhone for a little while)! Try asking simple questions to engage them, like, 'What was your favorite play today?' or 'What did you learn?' These conversations can make the car ride more meaningful and help them to reflect positively on the games.
   
   Car rides are fleeting moments in youth sports that provide unique opportunities for bonding, encouragement, and growth. By focusing on effort, attitude, and healthy interactions, parents can help shape not only better athletes but better people. These moments can also help create a lasting love for the game, foster a deeper connection between parents and athletes, and strengthen family bonds. Cherish these rides, use them wisely, and enjoy every moment! If we are going to travel and spend a lot of time together in the car we might as well make the most of it!