Youth sports psychology podcasts and strategies for sports parents of young athletes to improve mental game and performance.
Money has always played a role in youth sports, from club fees and private lessons to travel costs and college scholarships. But as athletes gain access to name, image and likeness (NIL) income at increasingly younger ages, financial decisions are becoming part of the mental game, as well. Tom Henske, … Read Sport Psychology Tip
For young athletes, the mental game is often about confidence, focus, resilience and staying present under pressure. But eating issues can quietly consume that mental space, affecting an athlete’s focus, confidence, identity and performance. Eating-disorders dietitian Adee Levinstein said that athletes face constant messages about nutrition, exercise, body image and … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Stress, comparisons and pressure can quietly undermine a child’s love of sports unless parents learn to prepare for the emotional challenges that come with each stage of development, said Stephen Anderson, an athletic director, coach and founder of the Rising Athlete Project. “I see parents reacting to things rather than … Read Sport Psychology Tip
For many sports parents, the challenge of parenting an elite athlete isn’t simply getting their child to practice. It’s figuring out how to support a young athlete’s dreams without sacrificing academics, family life or emotional well-being. Gosia Betancourt knows that balancing act firsthand. Her 13-year-old son, Joshua, is already competing … Read Sport Psychology Tip
The skill of being a leader is partly innate, but is mostly trainable, according to leadership coach Jonathan Cave, author of The Tree and the Mountain: Dare to Become. To hone their leadership skills, sports kids should identify their unique talents and build leadership skills based on them, he said. … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Many recruiting services, profile websites and showcase camps profit by keeping families engaged and spending money rather than helping athletes achieve meaningful recruiting outcomes, said Reid Meyer, co-founder of A2A Academy and a former college baseball player. To be successfully recruited, athletes need to be proactive, directly contacting coaches and … Read Sport Psychology Tip