Patrick Cohn

Patrick J. Cohn, Ph.D., earned his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Virginia in 1991, specializing in sports psychology, and founded Peak Performance Sports in 1994. Dr. Cohn is an author, professional speaker and one of the nation’s leading mental game coaches. His coaching programs for young athletes instill confidence, composure and effective mental strategies that enable athletes and teams to reach their performance goals.

When Kids’ Self-Esteem Suffers After They Lose

Youth Sports Psychology

Separating Self-Esteem And Winning in Sports Colton, a motocross racer, has lots of confidence. But he hates to lose. He hates to lose so much that it takes up to a day to recover after a losing, he says. Here at the Ultimate Sports Parent and Kids’ Sports Psychology, we … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Why This Soccer Coach Undermines Kids’ Confidence

Youth Sports Psychology

What to Avoid As a Sports Parent If you want to know what NOT to do as sports parents and coaches, read on. We received this letter from a parent and former coach of a soccer player in the 10-12 –year-old age group. “My child’s coach has three assistant coaches … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Should Sports Parents be Their Kids’ Trainer, Nutritionist and Sports Psychologist?

Youth Sports Psychology

Motivating And Communicating With Young Athletes Mari, a sports mom of two successful kayakers, aged 13 and 14, says she’s her kids’ sports psychologist, personal trainer, nutritionist and much more. She contacted us to ask: Is she too over-involved in her kids’ sports life? After speaking with Mari, we concluded that … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Parents’ Role in Motivating Sports Kids

Youth Sports Psychology

Motivate Young Athletes Without Pressuring Them Sam, a Division III basketball player, says it’s hard for him to motivate himself unless his coaches are watching him and pushing him along. As a young athlete, Sam’s not alone. We hear from many parents who say that their kids of all ages … Read Sport Psychology Tip

How Sports Kids Handle Constructive Criticism

Video of The Week

How Sports Kids Deal With Criticism Dr. Patrick Cohn, co-founder of The Ultimate Sports Parent discusses how kids handle constructive criticism in sports. In this youth sports psychology video by Dr. Patrick Cohn you’ll learn: How kids handle criticism in sports today. Listen to the interview with Coach James Jackson and Dr. Patrick Cohn … Read Sport Psychology Tip

High Expectations and Anger in Youth Sports

Youth Sports Psychology

Young Athletes And Keeping Composure As sports parents, it’s your job to understand anger management. That’s because anger erupts too often on the field or in the gym—and it’s always disruptive and destructive. That’s the word from Joe Bouffard, director of the Youth Football Coaches Association, a group that teaches … Read Sport Psychology Tip