Kids sports psychology articles for young athletes, sports parents, and team coaches to improve performance in sports and perform better. Youth sports psychology for teens and kids.
How Can You Help Athletes Manage Stress and Pressure? Summary: Parents can help young athletes handle pressure by anticipating the stress that comes with each stage of development instead of reacting after it hits. Pressure tends to spike at predictable moments: joining a first team, navigating puberty, and competing for … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Does Your Child Choke Under Pressure? Summary: Probably more often than they’ll admit. Choking happens when a young athlete underperforms in games compared to how they play in practice. It’s not a talent problem. It’s a mental one. Three factors drive it: negative self-talk, a fear-based perspective on pressure situations, … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Too often, sports kids see their identity as being athletes, said Tiffany Yvonne, founder of Playmaker Solutions, where she helps young athletes build emotional intelligence and confidence. When their identity is all about sports, they can quickly lose confidence if they make mistakes or lose games. ?”When you know who … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Why Do Young Athletes Let Up With a Lead? Young athletes let up with a lead because they shift their mental focus from execution to outcome — they start thinking about the win instead of competing in the moment. When kids assume the game is over before it is, their … Read Sport Psychology Tip
How Can Sports Parents Help Young Athletes Manage Pressure? Why Pressure Is Overwhelming So Many Young Athletes Pressure is part of sports. It always has been. You would be hard pressed to find a young athlete who has never felt the weight of expectations before a big game or during … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Helping Young Athletes Stay Confident During a Shooting Slump Where do your child’s thoughts go when they are in a shooting slump? Do they get frustrated and try to “fix their shot” mid-game? Do they obsess over stats, numbers, or results instead of staying engaged in the game? Do they … Read Sport Psychology Tip