How to Handle Criticism
Summary: Young athletes face criticism from coaches, teammates, fans, and media, which can impact confidence and performance. Learning how to respond better to criticism helps kids separate constructive feedback from harmful noise, stay focused on long-term goals, and maintain a positive mindset.
How has negative criticism affected your young athlete’s confidence in past athletic competitions? How can your athletes respond better to criticism.
Even though criticism can be helpful, it is also hurtful. Negative criticism can cause kids to doubt their abilities. It can destroy their confidence.
Negative comments from media, parents, teammates, coaches and fans can cause kids to feel angry and frustrated.
When sports kids are playing at a high level, compliments and praise are heaped on them. However, when they underperform or make costly mistakes, the naysayers and critics appear
If kids are not mentally skilled enough to handle negative criticism, they may give up altogether on pursuing their goals.
Since negative criticism is unavoidable, young athletes need to learn how to handle it effectively so it doesn’t undermine their confidence, focus or performance.
Kids have several options for dealing with negative criticism:
- Sift out the negative: When athletes receive negative criticism, they should identify beneficial information and disregard the rest.
- Take out the trash: If the criticism is unjust or merely insults, young athletes should ignore it.
- Think big picture: Sometimes, kids will underperform, and judgmental comments will come their way. They need to keep their eyes fixed on their ultimate objective.
Although athletes cannot control others’ actions, they can control how they respond. Great athletes focus on what they can control.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has received a lot of negative criticism from fans, sports commentators and social media despite being in the NFL for less than two seasons.
Young was drafted first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, along with the hype came high expectations. Young finished his rookie season with 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, leading the Panthers to a 2–15 record.
After the Panthers lost their first two games of the 2024 season, Young was the target of a lot of negative criticism.
Though Young acknowledged the heavy criticism, boos and pressure, he stated his confidence remains high. Instead of focusing on the negative, Young is focused on the big picture.
Respond Better to Criticism Methods
“I understand the frustration [of the fans],” he said. “I know this city loves the Panthers. That passion is something I respect, and I share that same fire. We’re all disappointed, but this is part of the journey.”
Young has focused on putting in the work and developing his quarterback skills rather than dwelling on the losses and negative criticism.
“This is part of the process,” he said. “There’s no growth without challenges. I’m committed to this team, and we’ll get better. We just have to stay the course.”
Negative criticism may hurt, but it doesn’t need to hurt kids’ performance. Dealing with criticism requires understanding what they can control, maintaining a positive mindset, and tuning out extraneous noise.
When dealing with negative criticism, it is important to separate the good from the bad.
In other words, what information is beneficial or helpful, and what comments are trash? This insight will help young athletes stay focused on positive steps they can take to improve their game.
Respond Better to Criticism
1. Teach Young Athletes to Filter Negative Criticism
One of the best ways to protect confidence is by teaching kids to separate helpful feedback from harmful noise. Athletes should focus on constructive advice they can use to improve while discarding negative comments that only tear them down. This skill helps them stay growth-focused instead of doubt-driven.
2. Encourage a “Big Picture” Mindset
When kids face harsh judgment after a poor performance, remind them that one game does not define their athletic journey. By keeping their eyes on long-term goals, young athletes can stay motivated and use challenges as stepping stones rather than setbacks.
3. Help Kids Control Their Response to Criticism
Athletes can’t control what coaches, teammates, or fans say—but they can control how they respond. Teaching kids mental strategies to stay composed under criticism boosts resilience, prevents confidence loss, and allows them to focus on controllable actions like effort and preparation.
4. Promote Positive Self-Belief Despite Outside Negativity
To counteract negativity, athletes should focus on confidence-building habits like affirmations, consistent training, and self-trust. Just as NFL quarterback Bryce Young emphasized the “process” over boos and doubt, young athletes can learn to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
Related Kids Sports Psychology Articles:
- Self-Motivated or Parent Driven Athletes?
- Helping Sports Kids Develop an Emotional IQ
- Success Tips for Parents: Kids Who Stop Trying
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“The Confident Sports Kid” program is actually two programs: one that teaches sports parents how to boost their kids’ confidence, and another that teaches young athletes age 8 to 18 how to improve their self talk, avoid negative thinking, overcome expectations that limit confidence, and much more. The program will help kids boost their confidence in sports and life…and enjoy sports more.
The Confident Sports Kid Audio & Workbook program teaches your athletes how to identify confidence busters, proactively deal with them, manage expectations that undermine confidence.
FAQ: How Young Athletes Can Respond Better to Criticism
Q: Why is handling negative criticism important for young athletes?
A: Negative criticism can undermine confidence, focus, and performance. Learning how to respond effectively helps athletes stay motivated, resilient, and committed to improvement.
Q: How can young athletes filter criticism effectively?
A: Kids should sift out helpful feedback and disregard comments that are purely negative or insulting. Focusing on constructive advice helps them take actionable steps to grow their skills.
Q: What mindset helps athletes cope with criticism?
A: A “big picture” mindset works best. Understanding that one poor performance doesn’t define their athletic journey allows athletes to stay focused on long-term goals and maintain confidence.
Q: Can athletes control the impact of criticism on their performance?
A: Yes. While athletes cannot control what others say, they can control their response. Staying composed, focusing on effort, and maintaining a positive mindset helps prevent criticism from affecting performance.
Q: What strategies build confidence despite outside negativity?
A: Positive self-talk, affirmations, consistent practice, and trusting their preparation help athletes maintain confidence. Emphasizing the process, not just outcomes, keeps them resilient under pressure.
Helping Athletes Respond Better to Criticism
Kids Sports Psychology expert Patrick Cohn, Ph.D. has helped athletes for over 35 years to enhance their performance. Dr. Cohn earned a master’s degree in sports psychology from CSUF and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, specializing in Applied Sports Psychology. Today, he is the president and founder of Peak Performance Sports, LLC in Orlando, Florida.