Can Sports Build Character in Athletes?

Building Confidence in Young Athletes

It’s a myth that participating in youth sports will build character in young athletes, say Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, authors of “Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports.”

The problem: There are too many variables in youth sports to conclude that participating will build character. Referees are inconsistent. Coaches don’t all have the same values.

To build character, adults and mature young athletes need to identify and act on character-building moments, they say.

Listen to Learn More

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Related Kids Sports Psychology Articles:

• How to Boost Confidence in Athletes
• Confidence Boosting Strategies for Young Athletes
• How Sports Can Build a Child’s Confidence

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THE FOCUSED SPORTS KID (DIGITAL DOWNLOAD)

“The Focused Sports Kid” helps sports kids who get easily distracted and can’t maintain their focus in competition. In this program, you and your athlete learn concentration-boosting strategies to help young athletes develop laser focus during competition. “The Focused Sports Kid” is two programs in one. You get a manual and Audio program for parents/coaches, and a PDF workbook and audio programs for young athletes.

“We just completed the first ten tips, it has helped tremendously for (our daughter) and us. We’ve learned to keep our behavior and comments in check. She’s letting mistakes happen and not worrying about them, she’s now just moves on to the next play with the same attitude as before the mistakes. She’s playing more aggressively all game. Her coach even mentioned that whatever we are doing, keep doing because it’s working.” ~Scott, Sports Dad