Youth sports psychology podcasts and strategies for sports parents of young athletes to improve mental game and performance.
When athletes’ identities are wrapped up in sports, they can experience pressure and high expectations. What’s more, they might become disappointed if they go to college and are no longer the stars they were on their high school teams, said Zedralyn Butler, author of The Mental State of Sports and … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Forty-two percent of children report being bullied by coaches or physical education teachers. Common bullying programs don’t work, said Tom Dahlborg, president and CEO of Dahlborg HealthCaring Leadership Group. Bullying can make kids depressed, anxious and even suicidal. Dahlborg is working to implement better anti-bullying programs, including creating a team … Read Sport Psychology Tip
It’s a myth that participating in youth sports will build character in young athletes, say Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, authors of “Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports.” The problem: There are too many variables in youth sports to conclude that participating will build character. Referees … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Sports kids should push past challenges by focusing on incremental steps rather than the bigger end goal, said Dianette Wells, a world-class mountaineer, ultra-endurance athlete and author. For example, to prepare for a hike in Malibu, Calif., she focused on improving her time by a minute each time she hiked. … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Research shows that girls’ identities can become too wrapped up in sports, according to Marlene Holmes, a mental health advocate, sports social worker and regional director at Netball America. “What the research shows is that for young boys, when they are introduced to a sport before the age of 8, … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Without grit and discipline, young athletes won’t be successful, said Cary Knox, retired head coach and author of I Believe, which explores the legacies of Illinois sports legends. “You have to be gritty to be successful in just about anything you do,” he said. “You have to have a willingness to get … Read Sport Psychology Tip