Keep Confidence Up, Even in a Pandemic
When kids’ sports schedules are interrupted or stopped altogether–which is true for many young athletes right now, due to the pandemic–they can feel anxious.
Injuries, illnesses, inclement weather, facility shutdowns and vacations are some of the other circumstances that can disrupt athletes’ training or games.
Uncontrollable circumstances such as injuries or pandemics, not only create anxiety in kids, they hurt their confidence.
For example, if your young athlete experienced a second-degree ankle sprain, she may have many questions such as:
- When can I resume training?
- Will my season be over?
- Am I going to fall behind my teammates who are still training?
- Will a couple of weeks off affect my strength and conditioning?
- Will my skills decline? Will my timing be off?
- How will I be able to catch up to my teammates and how long will it take before I can compete?
When kids focus on the things they can’t do because of an uncontrollable circumstance, they may feel lost and helpless. But sports kids can still work on staying physically and mentally active.
Training Even During The Pandemic
The COVID-19 crisis has turned the world upside down and has left athletes to face many unknowns. It has disrupted training and competing for nearly every athlete in the world.
The Olympics were pushed back, international competitions were halted, professional sports seasons were postponed and many college, high school and youth sports seasons were cancelled.
Some young athletes feel trapped in their homes without their daily training regimen, while other athletes have found creative ways to train that are exciting and empowering.
For example, 25-year-old Adam Brady, center for the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat, had his season interrupted by the pandemic. Even though Brady was not able to scrimmage with his teammates on the ice, Brady stayed active by turning to new methods that he may never have considered before.
“It’s given me time to do more research with nutrition and get into yoga, a lot of mobility and stretching,” he said.
We have learned from the pandemic that adversity can strike at any moment, disrupting athletics. No matter what the circumstances, sports kids can follow Brady’s lead and find creative ways to train.
When athletes focus on what they can do or what they can control, they gain a sense of empowerment, build confidence and become more well-rounded athletes.
How Kids Can Train their Mind and Body:
Remember, there is always something kids can do to improve their games when they are not practicing or playing. The lessons kids may learn during the pandemic can be carried over to other obstacles that may prevent them from participating in sports.
- If young athletes can’t run, they can learn relaxation techniques.
- If they are injured, they can visualize performing in a competition.
- If they are stuck indoors during a snowstorm, they can do weight training.
- If they can’t practice, they can work on flexibility.
This is also a good time to look into mental training, even when sports kids are not practicing or playing. Encourage young athletes to be creative with ways to improve their games even when they’re not practicing. It will pay off when they face other forms of adversity that prevent them from participating in athletics.
Help your young athletes make the most of their sports experience!
Related Articles on Kids’ Mental Game:
- How to Help Young Athletes with Mental Health During COVID-19
- Keeping Kids Moving During the COVID-19 Crisis
- How Sports Kids Can Overcome Pandemic Anxiety
*Subscribe to The Sports Psychology Podcast on iTunes
*Subscribe to The Sports Psychology Podcast on Spotify
Improve Your Mental Game From Anywhere In The World
We’re certain that, as a parent, you want to help your child develop confidence and discipline in sports and life. And as a sports parent, you’d love for your children to reach their potential in sports. But encouraging your child to strive for greatness without pressuring them can be a challenge.
You can get expert mental coaching with us from anywhere. Meet with us via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime or phone call. With today’s video technology, we are able to connect with athletes and coaches all over the globe.
Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free 15-Minute Session.
Find Out How Your Athlete Can Benefit From One-on-One Mental Coaching!