Parents: Help Kids Boost Pregame Concentration
Just before kids compete, they need to focus as much as possible on what’s happening right now, not on the past or future.
They will do better if they can avoid focusing on common distractions–what others think of them, the score, the win, or past mistakes.
When kids concentrate on playing in the moment, or here and now, they’re more likely to get in the flow and perform well.
Just before a game, you can help kids with distractions, such as not focusing on things like the score or their stats.
First, understand that parents can be a big distraction before a game, even though their efforts are well meaning.
Just before a game, avoid talking about past mistakes. Don’t burden kids with a lot of detailed instructions; these can bog them down and make it hard for them to play intuitively.
Next, help them understand that they can selectively concentrate on what they need to focus on.
Focusing is a skill that can be honed.
Young athletes should utilize their selective focusing ability to concentrate on what we call “performance cues.”
These are certain images, feelings, thoughts, targets, communication from teammates or cues from their surroundings that help kids perform well.
For example, performance cues for soccer players include:
- Creating space to accept a pass
- Controlling the ball before dribbling or passing it
- Dribbling down the field under control
These cues should be specific and simple. You want to simplify the game, not make it more complex for athletes.
When young athletes give all of their focus to these cues, they’ll be able perform better, without being distracted by parents yelling on the sidelines, worries about what others think, or expectations about how many goals they’re supposed to make.
Want to learn more about how to help kids focus before a game?
Check out our latest program, “10-Minute Pregame Prep,” a program for you and your young athletes that teaches you both just what to do before a game.
Kids learn how to mentally prepare for games by listening to a 10-minute audio program before each game to learn a new pregame skill.
The program also includes a manual for parents to help you instill each lesson and get on board with helping your athletes feel focused and ready.
Read more here and download Lesson 1 of the Parents’ Manual on the middle of the page.
Related Articles on Youth Sports:
- How This Sport Builds Confidence and Focus in Kids
- How Nutrition Affects Sports Kids’ Focus and Performance
- Help Kids Focus on Being in the Moment, Not on Mistakes
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Help Your Young Athletes Improve Focus In Sports!
Are your young athletes easily distracted by people shouting on the sidelines? Do they obsess over their mistakes? Do they worry about what people think of them?
These issues will cause their concentration and performance to suffer!The Focused Sports Kid helps kids overcome distractions that can hurt their performance in sports.
The Focused Sports Kid program is actually two programs: one for sports parents/coaches that provides mental game tips especially designed for parents and coaches, and for young athletes, ages 8 to 12, that will walk them through 7 simple lessons in mental focus in sports.