Most children grew up with the influence of sports on their life, whether it be that they played or watched. Their parents cheered them on from the sidelines, showing their support of their game. However, a select group of kids experienced their parental influence in their sports life in a different, more intense sort of way.
1. You're expected to be amazing at the sport.
Regardless of the actuality of your skills, your expertise in the sport is expected to be higher than the average. Catching ball should be a breeze, or throwing should come as second nature
2. You're instantly expected to love the sport.
Once again, regardless of what you want, your wants are assumed for you. You will be amazing, you will love it, you will play the game.
3. You’re still seen as nothing but a number.
Your rank is seen as something other than how well you play, but as your role in the sport. You need to rank higher than you thought possible in order to be seen as worth to everyone else, rather than that of those without parental influences.
4. Sports are your life, and nothing else.
You must focus on your success in the sport to be seen as successful, despite the success in the other regions of your life.
5. You're expected to go as far as your parents.
Despite the amount of skill you actually acquire in the sport, you are expected to make it as far as your parents had in the sport. Whether it be at the collegiate level or even professional, you're expected to go the lengths.
6. Injuries are seen as nothing but a minor setback.
Injuries are not earth-shattering no matter the severity. Something as harsh as an ACL tear is seen as a complication in the grand scheme of your sports career, and something you will obviously be able to overcome.
