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.
Does Money Add Pressure to Youth Sports? Yes, and it’s reaching younger athletes every year. NIL income is now touching high school and even younger players, most of whom receive money before they’ve learned how to manage it. Financial expert and former All-American Tom Henske says the resulting stress doesn’t … Read Sport Psychology Tip
How do Eating Issues Affect Athletes’ Mindset? Article Summary: For young athletes, the mental game usually gets talked about in terms of confidence, focus, resilience, and staying present under pressure. What gets talked about far less is how much of that mental space can be quietly taken up by something … Read Sport Psychology Tip
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