Sports parenting and youth sports psychology articles for sports parents of young athletes to improve mental game and performance in kids
“Life as a Team Sport” Campaign It’s still possible for kids to stay involved in sports during COVID-19 isolation, says Spencer Gordon, partnership manager for the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Portland. PCA, which aims to create better athletes and people, has launched a “Life as a Team Sport” campaign, which … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Interview With Jeff Long Jeff Long, founder of the Healthy Kids Running Series and a former Division 1 runner, says it’s important to keep kids moving during this time of high anxiety. “Stress levels are high, people are anxious and stressed, and now Mom and Dad are trying to do … Read Sport Psychology Tip
When Self-Talk Isn’t Enough for Athletes Brad Donohue, a psychology professor and sports psychology expert at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is conducting some eye-opening studies about how motivational phrases help athletes perform. In one of his studies, coaches or peers said a string of phrases to runners … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Interview With Christian Lavers It’s natural for youth sports kids’ confidence to come and go, says Christian Lavers, President, Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), a youth sports competition and development organization. When kids’ confidence does wane, it’s generally in response to a bad game or performance, a losing season, a … 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
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