Building Confidence in Kids
Some athletes seem to ooze confidence. They appear unfazed during championship games, in the final minutes of a contest or when trailing late in a game.
Why do these athletes have unwavering confidence? Is there something in their DNA that generates confidence?
Confidence is not genetic. If sports kids believe confidence is based on genetics, they may dismiss the notion that they can build confidence.
Not only is this misperception a mistake, but it is also detrimental to kids’ performance and potential. Confidence isn’t something athletes are born with, nor is it an exclusive trait of elite athletes.
Confidence is a skill that can be developed by anyone willing to put in the work. Confidence is a mental skill requiring effort, focus and dedication.
If kids want game-changing confidence, they need to commit to training their mind and consider working with a mental game coach who can teach them confidence-building strategies. They need to put in the necessary work, and hold themselves accountable for developing their confidence.
At the 2025 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt was oozing confidence. Leavitt has established himself as one of the top young quarterbacks in the country.
In his previous six games, Leavitt threw for 16 touchdowns and just one interception. Leavitt believes he is one of the best collegiate quarterbacks and was looking forward to facing Texas to prove himself on the field.
“… It’s just an opportunity for me to go prove myself,” he said. “I hope that every player on the field feels that they’re the best. That’s how it should be. You put all this work in and get to this stage. So why would you not believe that yourself?”
Leavitt wasn’t born with high confidence. He put in the work, and his work paid dividends. Confidence is a commitment. Confidence is built on action.
Every day kids work on a confidence-building strategy, it shows up in their competitive performance.
In order to build confidence, young athletes need to:
- Strive for excellence
- Commit to maximizing their potential
- Look for different ways to build on their talent
- Improve the weaker areas of their game
- Prioritize mental skills training
- Break through personal barriers
- Broaden their technical skill set
- Push themselves to higher levels
- Take ownership of their practice and competitive performances
- Never relent on improving little aspects of their game.
Confidence is not reserved for the elite. Confidence is a mental skill developed by athletes who have the drive to achieve greatness.
With confidence, sports kids can challenge themselves, learn from setbacks and consistently push beyond their perceived limits. And when they commit to confidence, it’s game-changing.
Confidence is a process built step by step, not overnight. Identifying steps and strategies is crucial to the confidence-building process.
Young athletes need to set confidence goals, create a goal plan, implement strategies and evaluate their progress to stay on the path to building game-changing confidence!
Related Kids Sports Psychology Articles:
- 9 Ways to Build Confidence in Young Athletes
- How Archery Builds Confidence and Focus in Kids
- How This Sport Builds Confidence and Focus in Kids
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THE CONFIDENT SPORTS KID (DIGITAL DOWNLOAD)
“The Confident Sports Kid” program is actually two programs: one that teaches sports parents how to boost their kids’ confidence, and another that teaches young athletes age 8 to 18 how to improve their self talk, avoid negative thinking, overcome expectations that limit confidence, and much more. The program will help kids boost their confidence in sports and life…and enjoy sports more.
The Confident Sports Kid Audio & Workbook program teaches your athletes how to identify confidence busters, proactively deal with them, manage expectations that undermine confidence.
“We just completed the first ten tips, it has helped tremendously for (our daughter) and us. We’ve learned to keep our behavior and comments in check. She’s letting mistakes happen and not worrying about them, she’s now just moves on to the next play with the same attitude as before the mistakes. She’s playing more aggressively all game. Her coach even mentioned that whatever we are doing, keep doing because it’s working.” ~Scott, Sports Dad