Kids in sports articles and tips for sports parents, young athletes, and youth coaches to improve mental performance and overall consistency in sports.
Building Confidence in Kids Some athletes seem to ooze confidence. They appear unfazed during championship games, in the final minutes of a contest or when trailing late in a game. Why do these athletes have unwavering confidence? Is there something in their DNA that generates confidence? Confidence is not genetic. If sports kids … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Our brain tends to lean toward negativity. “The brain doesn’t understand today the difference between protecting us from a lion or a snake and protecting us from emotional states,” said Debbie O ‘Connell, president, Live Positive and Golf Positive and vice president, LPGA Northeast section. The brain tends to embrace negative emotional … Read Sport Psychology Tip
If people who lead in youth sports—coaches, team captains, players and parents—are emotionally intelligent, they’re well-suited to lead a team through its ups and downs. In fact, emotional intelligence competencies are better predictors of how well kids and adults will do in sports and their careers than IQ, said Caleb Chambliss, a … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Posting notes at home, trying hypnosis and passing a ball from the left hand to the right are three ways sports kids can combat negative thinking. These techniques are designed to help kids’ minds switch from negativity to positivity, said Ignacio Segovia, a psychologist, certified hypnotherapist and mental performance coach who … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Cathy Spaas was a professional equestrian show jumper at a young age and knows what it’s like to suffer from pressure. Spaas was riding international shows at the age of 14, but, in response to pressure from her dad, began to feel like she was never good enough. “I think I … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Welcome to the Sports Psychology Podcast by Dr. Patrick Coach of Peak Performance Sports Dr. Cohn and Georgia Miller, CMPC discuss the challenges sports parents face with young athletes and how to make sports a better experience. Learn how to spot mental game challenges in athletes, what to say before and after games, and … Read Sport Psychology Tip