Sports Parenting

Sports parenting and youth sports psychology articles for sports parents of young athletes to improve mental game and performance in kids

How Negative Labels Hurt Young Athletes

How Choking Hurts Athletes’ Performance 

Negative Self-Lables in Youth Sports When sports kids start calling themselves “losers,” “chokers,” “wimps” or other negative names, it’s a bad sign. Young athletes who label themselves with these negative terms are hurting their confidence. They’ve got a little voice in their head that’s constantly putting them down. And, as … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Helping Kids Stay Confident in the Face of Adversity

Youth Sports Psychology

Sports Parents: Dealing With Bullied Kids A fuming sports mom recently asked us what to do to help her daughter, a talented athlete who was passed up for a slot on the Varsity Team and is now being bullied by the girls who made the team. “I have noticed my … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Helping Sports Kids Boost Mental Stamina with Awareness

Youth Sports Psychology

Mental Stamina in Youth Sports Let’s say your young athlete is a golfer, baseball player or basketball player who needs to focus intensely before making a putt, throwing a pitch, hitting a ball or shooting a free-throw. The player generally has a strategy and an intention; the goal is to … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Why Having Fun Helps Sports Kids Perform Well

Youth Sports Psychology

Why Having Fun in Sports is so Important High school athlete Jacob understands why having fun is hands-down the most important thing kids can do when all seems lost. In a recent interview, he told us that when his team is down, or if he makes mistakes, his confidence starts … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Why Sports Parents Need Perspective

Youth Sports Psychology

Tips to Ensure Your Kids Excel in Sports We all want our kids to excel in sports. But exactly what does it mean to excel — and how can parents best help young athletes? It’s all about perspective. Read on to learn great tips for ensuring your kids excel in … Read Sport Psychology Tip

The Advantages of An Inside-Out Mindset For Young Athletes

How to Care About Athletes’ Mental Health

Using Internal Rewards With Sports Kids Too often today, young athletes are motivated for the wrong reason, says Kirk Mango, a former Division I gymnast who is now a coach and sports parent. He says many athletes seek external rewards, such as trophies, admiration from coaches and parents, poularity, and … Read Sport Psychology Tip