Youth Sports Psychology Articles

When Should Young Athletes Start Mental Training and Why?

Youth Sports Psychology

How to Tell if Your Sports Kid is Ready For Mental Training “Is my 9-year-old too young for mental training?” asks one sports parent. It’s clear, she says, that her son has some mental game blocks. “In practice he is one of the best players on his team, but his … Read Sport Psychology Tip

When Kids Drop Out of Sports Because of Little Playing Time

Young Athelte Mental Toughness

Positive Coaching in Youth Sports At first, Brian Sanders’ son enjoyed sports. He had a coach who gave all the kids equal playing time. The second year, the boy dropped out of sports altogether because the coach gave him—and other players—little playing time. “Kids drop out because of these negative … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Helping Sports Kids Focus on the Present

What Can Athletes Learn from Elite Athletes’ Mindset?

Sports Kids Who Can’t Let Go of Mistakes In the popular book, “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” one of the main characters—a racecar driver—talks about the importance of “having no memory” while competing. “Memory is time folding back on itself. To remember is to disengage from the present,” … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Overcoming Young Athletes’ Resistance to Mental Training

Youth Sports Psychology

3 Reasons Why Young Athletes Resist Mental Training One sports parent recently asked: “How do I get my son to buy into the need for mental training? He is an extremely skilled player who lacks confidence but stubbornly is not open to mental training.” Whether young athletes are skilled or unskilled, … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Letting Go of Sports Kids During Practice and Competition

Youth Sports Psychology

Letting Sports Kids be Responsible For Their Success Sports parents need to release their young athletes to the game. That’s the word from H. Rothenberg, who has run a basketball program for 20 years and is the owner of Triple C Camp, Charlottesville, Va. What exactly does he mean by … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Why Do Talented Kids With Bad Attitudes Get More Playing Time?

Youth Sports Psychology

Confidence And Talent in Sports Kids One of our readers recently asked a great question: Why do hard-working, less talented kids generally get less playing time than the talented athletes who have not-so-great work ethics and attitudes? Here is what this sports parent had to say: “My son plays ice … Read Sport Psychology Tip