Why Mistakes Are Good! Creating a Positive Environment Where Failure is Part of Learning

In grassroots sport, mistakes are often seen as a negative thing, something to be corrected or avoided at all costs. But in reality, mistakes are one of the most valuable learning tools a young athlete has.

At AU Sports, we actively encourage mistakes—because they mean players are trying new things, stepping out of their comfort zone, and pushing themselves to improve.

In this blog, we’ll explore why mistakes are important, how to create a positive environment for learning, and how coaches and parents can help children embrace failure as part of their journey to success.

1️⃣ The Truth About Mistakes in Sport

🔹 Every great athlete has made thousands of mistakes in their career.

🔹 Mistakes are a sign of growth and effort—not failure.

🔹 Learning from mistakes builds resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills.

🔹 Without mistakes, there’s no improvement—playing it safe won’t develop new skills.

📌 Example: A young footballer who never takes risks might avoid losing possession but will also struggle to develop dribbling skills. A cricketer who never plays attacking shots might not get out often, but they also won’t learn to score runs effectively.

2️⃣ Why Coaches & Parents Need to Change Their Mindset

Too often, we see coaches and parents reacting negatively to mistakes:

❌ Criticising a player for missing a shot.

❌ Shouting at a child for losing the ball.

❌ Immediately stopping a drill when something goes wrong.

This approach creates fear of failure, which leads to:

🚨 Players avoiding risks and playing too cautiously.

🚨 A drop in confidence and self-belief.

🚨 Kids losing enjoyment and eventually quitting the sport.

📌 Tip: Instead of saying “Why did you do that?!”, try “Great effort! What can we learn from that?”

3️⃣ How to Create a Positive Learning Environment

The way we respond to mistakes shapes how children feel about them. Here’s how to build a culture where mistakes are part of progress:

✅ 1. Praise Effort, Not Just Success

💬 Say this: “I love that you tried that skill—keep going!”

🚫 Not this: “That was the wrong decision—don’t do that again.”

Encouraging effort keeps players motivated to try new things.

📌 Example: A netballer who attempts a difficult pass might fail at first—but praising the attempt encourages them to keep improving until they get it right.

✅ 2. Ask ‘What Did You Learn?’ Instead of ‘Why Did You Do That?’

Encourage self-reflection rather than making players feel bad about mistakes.

💬 Say this: “What would you do differently next time?”

🚫 Not this: “That was a terrible choice—think before you pass.”

📌 Example: A cricketer who plays across the line and gets bowled out can learn from the experience rather than fearing the mistake.

✅ 3. Let Players Solve Problems Themselves

Avoid jumping in too quickly with corrections—give kids time to figure things out.

💬 Say this: “What do you think went wrong there?”

🚫 Not this: “You need to stand like this, move like this, and do this next time.”

📌 Example: In football, if a player keeps losing possession, ask them what they could try next time rather than immediately giving them the answer.

✅ 4. Use Mistakes as Teaching Moments

Coaches should highlight mistakes without embarrassment—make it part of the learning process.

💬 Say this: “That was a great attempt! Let’s see if we can improve it next time.”

🚫 Not this: “That’s wrong. Let me show you how it’s done.”

📌 Example: A child trying a new cricket shot for the first time will likely get it wrong—but they won’t improve if they stop trying.

✅ 5. Celebrate Mistakes as Part of the Journey

🔹 Make a point of talking about mistakes in a positive way.

🔹 Share stories of great athletes who overcame failure.

🔹 Encourage kids to set ‘mistake goals’—challenges where they try something new, knowing they won’t get it right immediately.

📌 Example: Remind players that Cristiano Ronaldo, Ben Stokes, and Serena Williams all made thousands of mistakes before becoming elite athletes.

4️⃣ The Long-Term Benefits of Embracing Mistakes

Players who are taught to see mistakes as learning opportunities will:

✅ Develop faster – They’ll try new things and expand their skills.

✅ Be more confident – They won’t be afraid to make decisions.

✅ Become more resilient – They’ll handle setbacks and keep improving.

✅ Enjoy sport more – They’ll feel less pressure and have more fun.

📌 Example: A footballer who grows up embracing mistakes will be more creative, take more risks, and ultimately become a better player than one who plays in fear of getting things wrong.

Final Thoughts: Mistakes Are Just a Step Towards Improvement

🚀 Every great athlete was once a beginner who made thousands of mistakes.

✅ Help kids understand that failure is part of learning.

✅ Encourage effort and bravery instead of perfection.

✅ Teach them to learn from their mistakes instead of fearing them.

👉 The best players aren’t the ones who never make mistakes—they’re the ones who keep going after making them.

👇 How do you help your young athletes embrace mistakes? Let us know in the comments!