What Hurts Young Athletes’ Confidence in Sports?
We believe that confidence is the most important asset that leads athletes to sporting excellence. It’s critical for your kids to feel confident—to believe in their abilities—in order to realize their physical potential. Confidence helps them bounce back after mistakes, hang in there when things get tough, transfer the skills they learn in practice to competition, and much more! “You still have to have confidence. If you don’t have... [Read More...]
How One Athlete’s Confidence Thrived–With A Little Help
Jane’s 10-year-old son was a talented golfer who fell apart during competitions. Like many perfectionists, he had high expectations and became easily frustrated if he didn’t meet them. How did this young athlete transform his mental game and performance in short six months, even winning a regional tournament in southern Spain? The Answer may surprise you. Read on to find out… Jane’s son’s challenges, Jane says, were twofold.... [Read More...]
When Should Young Athletes Start Mental Training and Why?
“Is my 9-year-old too young for mental training?” asks one sports parent. It’s clear, she says, that her son has some mental game blocks. “In practice he is one of the best players on his team, but his confidence in games is low—he seems very tentative and willing to let others do the work (out of) fear of failing.” Our answer: Kids are never too young to be exposed to mental toughness training. What’s important is how you expose... [Read More...]
When Kids Drop Out of Sports Because of Little Playing Time
At first, Brian Sanders’ son enjoyed sports. He had a coach who gave all the kids equal playing time. The second year, the boy dropped out of sports altogether because the coach gave him—and other players—little playing time. “Kids drop out because of these negative experiences,” says Sanders. In fact, up to 75% of kids drop out of sports by the time they are 13—mostly because they’re not having fun anymore. Read on to learn about how... [Read More...]
Helping Sports Kids Focus on the Present and Improve Concentration
In the popular book, “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” one of the main characters—a racecar driver—talks about the importance of “having no memory” while competing. “Memory is time folding back on itself. To remember is to disengage from the present,” the book says. Here at the Ultimate Sports Parent and Kids’ Sports Psychology, we agree with this idea. Looking back—especially at past mistakes—isn’t... [Read More...]
