As parents, it’s natural to focus on visible things. Who played. Who sat out. Who won. Who looked strong. In sport, these signals usually mean effort or ability. For children managing diabetes, those signals can be misleading.
What looks like “not coping” or “not being fit enough” is often careful, responsible self-management. And this doesn’t only happen on match days. It affects every part of sport, including training.
Both training and competition is affected
During training sessions, you may notice your child:
- Sitting out part of a drill
- Stepping off court even when they want to continue
- Checking a device on their arm
- Needing short breaks while others keep going
This can happen:
- On good days
- On bad days
- Regardless of skill level
- Even when they are one of the strongest players in the group
Needing to stop is not a reflection of fitness, toughness, or commitment.
Why sitting out during training is sometimes necessary
Training is unpredictable by nature. Different drills stress the body in different ways:
- Long footwork patterns
- Repeated high-intensity rallies
- Stop-start drills
- Pressure games
All of these can change blood sugar rapidly.
When a child with diabetes steps off court, it is usually because:
- Their energy is dropping too fast
- Their body is becoming unstable
- Continuing would risk a bigger crash later
Stopping early is often the stronger decision, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Why this can be emotionally difficult
This is one of the hardest parts for young athletes.
Your child may feel:
- Embarrassed for sitting out
- Frustrated watching others continue
- Worried they look weak or unreliable
- Afraid teammates think they are “less capable”
Especially in group training, this can hurt confidence, even when they are performing well. It is important to understand that needing rest does not mean they are weaker. It means their body works differently.
What the small circular sensor means in training
The small round sensor on the upper arm monitors glucose levels continuously. It helps your child make decisions during sessions, not just matches.
Checking it during training is:
- Normal
- Responsible
- Necessary
It allows them to return to the session safely, rather than being forced to stop completely.
Why coaches may ask them to stop
Sometimes the decision does not come from the child. Coaches may step in. This is not punishment. It is not doubt. It is protection.
A coach’s job is to think long-term. One extra drill today is not worth:
- A dangerous low
- A complete shutdown later in the session
- A loss of confidence
Why this matters for long-term development
Children with diabetes are learning two things at once:
- How to play their sport
- How to manage their body under physical and emotional stress
This is a harder task than it looks.
Over time, this builds:
- Exceptional self-awareness
- Responsibility
- Discipline
- Mental resilience
But only if the environment is supportive.
What helps most from parents
What your child needs to hear is:
- “Stopping doesn’t mean you failed.”
- “Managing your body is part of being an athlete.”
- “You are not weak for listening to your body.”
Avoid comparisons with teammates who can train without interruption. Their bodies do not face the same demands.
The bigger picture
Sport is not just about how long you stay on court in one session.
It is about:
- Consistency over months and years
- Staying healthy
- Building confidence
- Learning when to push and when to pause
If your child sometimes has to sit out, both in training and competition, that does not make them fragile. It makes them skilled in something most athletes never have to learn. And that skill will stay with them far beyond the court.