Avoiding Comparisons to Boost Confidence in Young Athletes As sports parents, we all strive to be positive and happy role models for our children. Unfortunately, the stresses of sports can bring out the negative in us if we don’t try to keep an actively positive mind. The trap is that … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Reasons for Rising Dropout Rates in Sports Recent studies have shown a 14% drop off in soccer participation between the ages of 6-12, says Benjamin Dudley, executive director, Positive Coaching Aliance (PCA), Portland. We also see these kinds of numbers in baseball, football, and basketball all around the country. And … Read Sport Psychology Tip
What’s the Best Program for My Young Athlete? A sports mom asks: “I just wanted to know what the best program is for a 11 (almost 12) year old. I have a 12-year-old with confidence issues.” We often receive emails with these types of questions. Here at the Ultimate Sports … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Do Your Athletes Have Pre-Game Jitters or Anxiety? A sports parent asks: “My sports kid gets especially nervous before some games and seems to kind of psych himself out before the game even starts! Is there anything I can do?” Pregame jitters are a common source of anxiety for players. … Read Sport Psychology Tip
How to Help Sports Kids Be Self-Motivated A sports parent asks: “How can I help my son learn how to be self-motivated so that he can improve his tennis game?” Dan Coyle, the author of “The Talent Code,” argues that you have to help your children by cultivating their passion. … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Helping Kids Experience The Benefits of Youth Sports “If your overriding goal for youth sports is a Division I scholarship, you need to rethink your priorities,” said Larry Stone, a sports parent for 27 years in a recent column that appeared in the Seattle Times. “First of all, it’s probably … Read Sport Psychology Tip