Power Question #11: Who's a player you watched today and learned from?

This question quietly assumes two things — that there was a player worth watching, and that your child was watching. Both are habits worth installing early.

Why is this a power question?

Top players are constantly studying other players — on their team, in opposing teams, on TV. They're absorbing technique, body shape, decision-making, demeanor. Most young players don't think to look. They're too focused on their own game.

Asking "who's a player you watched today and learned from?" nudges them to widen the lens. It builds the muscle of learning from others — which is one of the most underrated developmental skills there is. A player who only learns from their own experience develops slowly. A player who also learns from watching others develops in parallel with every game they observe.

The question also normalizes admiration. It's healthy for kids to look up to other players — including teammates, including opponents — and to articulate why. It builds humility and curiosity at the same time.

What to do if you are uncomfortable asking the question

Some parents worry this will trigger comparison — that their child will say "I watched her and now I feel bad about my game." That happens occasionally, but less than you'd think. The framing of learned from points the conversation toward what's useful, not what's threatening.

If your child does spiral into comparison, gently redirect: "What did she do that you'd want to add to your game?" This shifts from she's better than me to here's something I could try.

If they can't name anyone, that's fine. The question can be asked again. Sometimes the next week, they'll bring something up without you asking.

What you might learn

The answers can be specific and revealing:

"That center back on the other team always knew where the ball was going before it got there." "My teammate has way better first touch under pressure." "There was this kid who never stopped talking to her teammates — I want to be more like that."

What you're hearing is your child's taste — what they admire, what they value, what they want to grow into. That's some of the most useful information you can get as a parent.

How you can probe for more if your player is interested

"What did they do that you'd want to do?" — turns admiration into action.

"Have you watched them before?" — gets at whether this was a one-off or a pattern.

"Do you want to try it this week?" — invites them to copy something concrete.

A takeaway

Players who look up develop faster than players who don't. "Who's a player you watched today and learned from?" is a small, repeatable way to build that habit. Over time, your child becomes a student of the game — not just a participant in it.