#27 - Car Ride Coaching: How Parents Accidentally Crush Confidence S2.9

The drive home after a game is one of the most powerful moments in your athlete’s week. Emotions are high. Identity feels fragile. And what you say — even casually — can either build resilience or quietly chip away at confidence. When parents criticize coaches, compare teammates, or overanalyze performance, girls often internalize it as pressure or inadequacy. But when we shift the conversation toward ownership, team celebration, and personal growth, the car ride becomes a confidence-building ritual. The goal isn’t to ignore mistakes. It’s to create a culture where athletes can celebrate others without feeling diminished, acknowledge their own strengths without shame, and take responsibility without spiraling.

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Focus on the good in others - service mindset
Build a mindset where someone else’s success expands the team and let them know!

2. Be a great role model
Learn to accept compliments.

3. Work with what we’ve got - own your role and excel
Appreciate the skills you have.