Youth athletes pressure and kids psychology articles for athletes, sports parents, and team coaches to improve performance and how to deal with pressure.
Building Confidence in Kids Some athletes seem to ooze confidence. They appear unfazed during championship games, in the final minutes of a contest or when trailing late in a game. Why do these athletes have unwavering confidence? Is there something in their DNA that generates confidence? Confidence is not genetic. … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Our brain tends to lean toward negativity. “The brain doesn’t understand today the difference between protecting us from a lion or a snake and protecting us from emotional states,” said Debbie O ‘Connell, president, Live Positive and Golf Positive and vice president, LPGA Northeast section. The brain tends to embrace negative emotional … Read Sport Psychology Tip
What Causes Choking? Why do some young athletes choke while other athletes rise to the occasion? Most young athletes don’t like to hear the word “choking,” let alone admit that they choke. Yet, some athletes believe they “always choke” when the pressure is on. Choking generally results from kids who … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Posting notes at home, trying hypnosis and passing a ball from the left hand to the right are three ways sports kids can combat negative thinking. These techniques are designed to help kids’ minds switch from negativity to positivity, said Ignacio Segovia, a psychologist, certified hypnotherapist and mental performance coach who … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Is a Success Formula Necessary? A success formula is like a recipe or set of instructions describing how to successfully and consistently create something. For example, if your young athlete’s goal is to prepare at an elite level, what do they need to add to the mix that produces high-level … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Sports kids need to learn how to respond–not react–to setbacks, said Dayton Hansen, chief operating officer at ICL Academy, an online school that aims to help students pursue passions such as sports. Rather than reacting with emotion, they need to take a step back and use deep breathing and visualization to … Read Sport Psychology Tip