Improve Confidence and Success in Young Athletes
One sports mom writes us to say her 12-year-old soccer player is too timid, backs off too often, dwells on her weaknesses, and performs better in practice than during games. Part of the problem, the sports mom says, is that her daughter is coming back from an injury. “She seemed scared to … [Read more...]
What’s one of the biggest confidence challenges for young athletes? They immediately focus on the negative side of the feedback that coaches are trying to give them. That’s the word from Hal Wissel, a basketball coach who has worked for numerous NBA teams, is founder of Basketball World, … [Read more...]
Sports kids worry about what their friends will think when they lose a ball, commit a turnover, or goof up. And that’s just the beginning of young athletes’ worries… They worry about what coaches and friends will think when their parents yell on the sidelines. They worry … [Read more...]
When kids are distracted by the disagreements they have with their friends, opponents or coaches, they don’t perform well in sports. They don’t enjoy it as much or learn as much. If they’re thinking about fighting over a guy, or being angry with a friend, or disagreeing with their parents, … [Read more...]
How often do coaches or parents say to their sports kids, “You need to focus! Get your head in the game!” All the time! The truth is, most sports kids get distracted. And when you hear the refrain, “Focus! Get your head in the game,” it’s because your sports kids aren’t performing … [Read more...]
What do you do when your sports kids suddenly get less playing time? Or if they never got much to begin with? If it hurts their confidence—and often it will--you can take concrete steps to boost your kids’ mental game. "Three of the last four years our son has been on an AAU team where he … [Read more...]
Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews Kirk Mango, a coach, national champion, 3-Time All-American, Hall of Fame Athlete and writer working on a book, “Becoming A True Champion” about why talent is over-rated. He talks about why hard work, commitment and strong mental game skills are just as, … [Read more...]
Talent is over-rated in youth sports. That’s the word from Kirk Mango, a youth sports coach, national champion, three-time All-American and Hall of Fame athlete. As a young athlete, Mango didn’t stand out as being especially talented, he says. But he was passionate and committed—two … [Read more...]
