Youth sports psychology articles and strategies for sports parents of young athletes to improve mental game and performance.
How do You Get the Most of Kid’s Talent? Summary: Craig Young, father of Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, learned that his push to make the most of his son’s talent was pushing his son away. His advice: focus on development, resilience, and character, not rankings or scholarship offers. Kids … Read Sport Psychology Tip
What Do Pregame Jitters Mean? Summary: Pregame jitters are the nervous, jumpy feeling athletes get before competition — racing heart, sweaty palms, a knot in the stomach. They’re a normal sign that the body is gearing up to perform, not a sign that something is wrong. In most cases, jitters … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Does Bad Officiating Derail Your Athlete? Summary: Competitive emotions are some of the most powerful forces in youth sports. They affect how kids think, feel, and perform. The good news is that emotions are mostly within young athletes’ control. This post breaks down the six facts every sports parent should … Read Sport Psychology Tip
How Can Parents Help Athletes Improve Focus? Summary: Many young athletes are physically present during competition but mentally disconnected. Mental engagement—the ability to stay present, refocus after mistakes, and manage emotions—is a critical skill for consistent performance. This article explains why mental engagement matters and how parents can support their … Read Sport Psychology Tip
How can Sports Parents Stay Calm and Composed? Summary: Elite competition challenges more than just young athletes—it challenges parents as well. This article shares three practical strategies to help sports parents stay focused during elite competition, manage emotions, and create a confident, supportive environment for their child under pressure. Table … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Do Your Kids Embrace the Underdog Role? Summary: When athletes see themselves as the underdog, they have two choices: believe they can win, or believe they’ll lose — and that belief often becomes self-fulfilling. Embracing the underdog role, rather than fearing it, helps athletes tap into their full mental and … Read Sport Psychology Tip
How Can You Build Confidence in Young Athletes Early? Summary: Confidence isn’t something athletes are born with — it’s a skill built through specific habits and experiences over time. These strategies help parents start building genuine, lasting confidence in young athletes early, rather than leaving it to chance. Table of … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Truth About Mental Training for Kids Table of Contents Toggle Truth About Mental Training for Kids Myths About Mental Training for Athletes The same challenge exists for therapists and psychologists today. Related Kids Sports Psychology Articles: THE FOCUSED SPORTS KID (DIGITAL DOWNLOAD) Do your athletes avoid mental coaching because they … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Solving Problems as an Athlete Table of Contents Toggle Solving Problems as an Athlete However, these thoughts focus on the problem. Solution-oriented sports kids have these skills: Bike Perservered Related Kids Sports Psychology Articles: THE FOCUSED SPORTS KID (DIGITAL DOWNLOAD) Competitive sports have their fair share of ups and downs, … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Do You Feed Off the Crowd or Lose Focus? Crowd noise can be a big distraction in sports competitions. Whether it’s cheering, booing, taunting or hurling insults, the crowd’s impact on young athletes can be significant. The people sitting in the stands can only influence the outcome of a competition … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Many athletes refer to their “team” as a “family.” However, a team is more like a workforce… A successful company comprises many roles, with each employee understanding their job description and what is specifically expected for each shift. When employees perform their roles to the best of their ability, the … Read Sport Psychology Tip
What to do if Your Kids Fear Mental Performance Coaching Young athletes fear doing mental game coaching because they don’t understand what it involves… Based on our survey with sports parents, we know kids fear what they do not understand… Young athletes think mental coaching is therapy for problem kids. … Read Sport Psychology Tip
How do emotions affect kids’ competitive performance? Table of Contents Toggle How do emotions affect kids’ competitive performance? There are six facts about competitive emotions: Emotions And Your Performance Controlling Emotions Related Youth Psychology Articles Ultimate Sports Parent Workbook and CD Program Have there been competitions where a bad officiating … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Youth Athletes Need to Understand Mental Coaching Young athletes often resistant mental performance coaching because they don’t understand what it is… We know that athletes often have the wrong impression of what mental coaching is. Athletes often think mental coaching is therapy. They assume it’s only because something is wrong with … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Should Young Athletes Quit or Recommit to Sports? That’s a question that Andrew Simpson and his associates ask young athletes who may be approaching burnout. Simpson, chief vision officer, Player’s Fitness and Performance, helped create a training program for these athletes. The program looks at ways to help athletes recognize the … Read Sport Psychology Tip
How to Constantly be Improving Your Game Many athletes reach a point where they believe they have maxed their potential or can no longer improve. Some set career goals, and when they accomplish their objective, they become satisfied and lose their motivation to achieve more. Athletes need to be more … Read Sport Psychology Tip