How to Motivate Boys to Play Sports

With more children preferring to play computer games, watch TV and lead a more sedentary lifestyle instead of getting outside and being active, the job of encouraging them to play sports is getting more challenging. This is having long-term repercussions on the health and well-being of young people across the country, with the rates of obesity, diabetes and other serious diseases on the rise. Motivating boys to play sports early in their lives may be a crucial step in preventing health issues in the future.

Instructions

    • 1

      Ask the boys directly what they like to do and what motivates them to do those things. Knowing and understanding your particular group will give you a starting point. What motivates young people generally depends partially on their age group. For example, younger boys may just enjoy the rough and tumble of team sports and boys in their early teens may be starting to think about girls and impressing them, even if they don’t admit it yet. What motivates or demotivates them generally will also apply to participating or dropping out of sports.

    • 2

      Build rapport by talking to the boys in their own language while still maintaining the adult-to-child relationship. Let them know you are listening to them and understand their views on sports and other issues of interest to them. They are more likely to listen to your point of view if they feel you listen to and understand them.

    • 3

      Sell the benefits to the boys. Explain what they will get out of it, bearing in mind what they told you motivates them. In addition to being fun, the benefits of sports include camaraderie, the prospect of prizes, recognition among their wider social circle and acknowledgement from adults. It is less likely they will recognize the longer term benefits of health and fitness when still young.

    • 4

      Engage them in quick and easy games at first to build enthusiasm and momentum. Keep sessions short and not too challenging so they will want to come back for more.

    • 5

      Praise effort as well as success. Ensure they all receive psychological rewards for taking part. Let them see you are proud of them.

    • 6

      Exploit hero-worship and celebrity to get your point across. Most young boys have sporting heroes or celebrities they admire. Bring those into your conversations with the boys, especially the ones who have significant sporting achievements. Invite a well-known sportsman to give a talk to the boys, answer their questions and, if possible, lead a training session or watch one of the boys' games.

    • 7

      Focus on fun when talking about sport and don’t get too serious about it. Fear of failure is a huge demotivator; you want them to enjoy sports rather than worry about winning and losing. Use colorful and positive images in literature, as children respond well to visual stimuli.

    • 8

      Recognize any boys who may feel isolated or lonely. Discreetly help them to understand how playing sports gives them a sense of identity, something all young people seek.

    • 9

      Give all the boys plenty of opportunity to participate. Most would rather be playing on the losing side than on the sidelines of the winning team.