What Motivates You?
Below is a quick 2-minute quiz to see how motivated you are as an athlete. Also, below for parents, we have some suggestions to help communicate with your athlete once you know.
Why Have Your Athlete Take This Quiz?
This short quiz helps coaches understand what motivates each athlete so we can communicate, support, and coach them more effectively. There are no right or wrong answers—every athlete is motivated differently, and one style is not better than another.
How to Support Your Athlete at Home
Understanding Motivation & Communication
Every athlete is motivated differently. Some are driven by personal growth and love of the game. Others are energized by competition, recognition, and clear goals.
Neither motivation style is better or worse.
They simply respond to different types of encouragement and communication.
Understanding how your athlete is motivated helps parents support confidence, focus, and long-term enjoyment of sport.
Intrinsically Motivated Athletes
What drives them:
Love of the sport
Skill improvement and mastery
Feeling focused or “in the zone.”
Personal standards rather than comparison
These athletes often care deeply—even if they don’t talk much about wins or stats.
Helpful ways to communicate
“What did you learn today?”
“What felt better than last time?”
“I loved watching how focused you were.”
After mistakes or losses
“What do you think you’ll try differently next time?”
“Setbacks are part of getting better.”
What to avoid
Leading with scores or rankings
Comparing them to teammates or opponents
Asking “Did you win?” as the first question
For these athletes, too much focus on results can turn joy into pressure.
How do they set goals best
Skill and technique goals
Effort and consistency goals
Personal improvement targets
Extrinsically Motivated Athletes
What drives them:
Competition and clear outcomes
Recognition and achievement
Earning roles, playing time, or rewards
Knowing what’s at stake
These athletes often thrive when expectations are clear and competition is present.
Helpful ways to communicate
“I could tell how hard you competed.”
“You earned that result.”
“That pressure moment really brought out your best.”
After mistakes or losses
“How will you respond next time?”
“Champions learn and bounce back.”
What to avoid
Downplaying results when they matter to your athlete
Removing all pressure or competition
Criticizing effort emotionally or publicly
How do they set goals best
Outcome-based goals (wins, roles, rankings)
Short-term competitive targets
Clear performance benchmarks
Athletes Who Are Balanced or Change Over Time
Many athletes shift motivation depending on:
Confidence level
Role on the team
Time of the season
Injury, stress, or life changes
The best approach is simple:
Ask instead of assuming.
“What helps you most right now?”
What Every Athlete Needs from Parents
Regardless of motivation style, all athletes benefit from:
Unconditional support
Emotional safety
Encouragement is not tied only to results
Your child’s motivation style does not define who they are.
It simply helps coaches and parents support them more effectively.
A Simple Message That Always Works
“I’m proud of you for showing up and competing.
I love watching you grow as an athlete and as a person.”
How do we work
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The easy way to start
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Register
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Choose categories
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Choose location
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Enjoy!
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