Help Young Athletes with Performance Young athletes can become overwhelmed by crowds during games or performances. Some kids feel anxious when the crowd claps; others feel energized. One figure skater recently responded to our mental game survey and talked about what it feels like to perform in front of spectators. … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Do Your Athletes Do Well in Poor Weather? When the weather outside is rainy, snowy, cold or windy, it can be difficult for young athletes to stay focused. For example, young tennis players often feel their mental game sink during hot temperatures, and they’re distracted early in the competition. Some … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Youth Sports Expert Interview Mark Greenburg, youth sports coach and former physical education teacher, says that emotional intelligence is one of the most important gifts sports parents can give their kids. In a recent interview with Ultimate Sports Parent Radio, Greenburg, the author of “Elevated Leadership, a Pitch-by-Pitch Guide to … Read Sport Psychology Tip
The Importance of Game Plans Game plans are blueprints for performing well or beating competitors during competition–and they’re only helpful if kids put them into action during games or competition. For example, in football, young athletes’ plan may be to identify the style of defense they’ll play during different game … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Fear of Failure for Young Athletes Elizabeth Pecsok, a coach at Oregon Gymnastics Academy (OGA), says coaching kids with special needs is all about helping them attain their personal goals and feel successful. She provides one-on-one coaching to kids who have ADHD, autism, sensory challenges and other issues. “I focus … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Using Your Mental Game For a Competitive Edge An athlete told us recently, “I am pretty much doing everything wrong from a mental perspective and just beginning to work on understanding better ways to think.” Athletes of all ages struggle with mental game challenges. They need to understand that mental … Read Sport Psychology Tip