Tips To Help Sports Kids in Games In many ways, it makes sense that we often see mayhem on the sidelines during youth sporting events, says Brian Swarz, a coach, ref and umpire who has seen a lot of youth sports games. First of all, many of the coaches are parents of high-level players who are very invested in the outcome of the games. Second, the coaches generally aren’t trained. What’s more, … [Read more...]
Why Mental Training is So Important for Kids [Podcast]
The Importance of Mental Training Steve Siebold is a former top 500 tennis player who knows what it’s like to be under pressure as a sports kid. He also knows how much that pressure can affect kids throughout their lives—in a negative way. “Some of the best tennis players in the world won’t go near a tennis court now because of the negative associations they have from years in youth … [Read more...]
Help Sports Kids Train Their Brains for Performance [Podcast]
Performing in The Zone in Youth Sports Did you know that kids can train their brains to get into the best possible zone for performing? Read on, and you’ll get some fascinating tips from Dr. Diane Stoler, a neuropsychologist and author. There are a number of ways to change brain frequencies in ways that help athletes focus and stay calm, she says. One of the simplest and most effective ways … [Read more...]
What Motivates Kids to Play Sports? This Will Surprise You [Podcast]
Motivating Kids to Play Sports How to motivate kids to play sports is a hot topic today, given all the news about obesity in our country. It’s also a hot topic for our readers and members, who often ask us what’s the best way to ensure their children are motivated to play sports and enjoy all its benefits. A recent study from Active Network and the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Assoc. sheds some … [Read more...]
How to Help Kids Be “Winning” Losers in Youth Sports
Making The Most Out of Losses How can you teach your kids to make the most out of losses? Lots of ways, says Frank J. Sileo, Ph.D, a psychologist with more than 16 years’ experience working with kids and families, and the author of “Sally Sore Loser: A Story about Winning and Losing.” First of all, you need to understand how important it is for your young athletes to make mistakes and … [Read more...]
How Parents’ Emotions Affect Sports Kids
Sports Parents Influence on Kids Let’s face it: The world of sports evokes lots of emotion. That’s partially why we love sports so much. But as sports parents, your emotional state affects your kids’ confidence in sports. In fact, if you can’t keep your feelings under control, your athletes might not thrive in sports. That’s the word from Anthony Ross, a sport psychologist, former All-American … [Read more...]
The Psychology of Sports Injury and Helping Athletes Cope
Sports Injuries in Young Athlete Many hours each week in Joe Dinoffer’s family focused on their daughter’s tennis; all tennis families have been there. Like many, Joe’s family also decided to let their daughter stay at home and attend an accredited high school distance learning program. But after adjusted a sizeable part of their daily lives around her tennis, everything changed suddenly. … [Read more...]
Why Young Athletes Excel with Backyard Play [Podcast]
The Benefits of Backyard Play Gary Simmons, author of “Gymbag Wisdom,” and a sports performance specialist who concentrates on teens, has some interesting anecdotes to share about the athletes he works with in high school. The top players he deals with are not the ones who play on traveling teams. They’re not necessarily the ones who spend all their time playing on more than one formal team … [Read more...]
Do Pre-Game Jitters Help Sports Kids Perform Better? [Podcast]
Pre-Game Butterflies in Youth Sports Pre-game butterflies are good for young athletes…Pre-game fear is not. That’s the word from Twan Russell, a former Miami Dolphins player and current Director of Youth Programs for the Dolphins. “We tell kids, ‘Be nervous.’ That anticipation prepares your body for what you are going to do,” Russell told us in a recent interview. “It’s hard to believe the … [Read more...]
Homeschooling: Pressure for Young Athletes? [Podcast]
Homeschooling And Youth Sports Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews Andrea Leib, a former teacher who is founder of stayontrack.net, which is an online school for athletes who need to homeschool due to demanding travel and practice schedules. This week's Ultimate Sports Parents podcast question is: Does homeschooling provide a relief for these kids or does it add pressure? Dr. Patrick … [Read more...]