Youth sports psychology articles and tips for sports parents, young athletes, and youth coaches to improve mental performance and consistency.
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
How Can Young Athletes Handle Criticism? Summary: Young athletes handle criticism best when they separate feedback from self-worth, look for the useful information inside it, and respond with a plan instead of an emotional reaction. These three habits turn tough feedback into a tool for growth instead of a hit … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Are Losses Devastating or Motivating for Young Athletes? Summary: A loss can be either devastating or motivating, and the difference comes down to how an athlete chooses to respond to it. Some kids let one defeat convince them they aren’t good enough. Others use that same defeat to sharpen their … 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
Too often, sports kids see their identity as being athletes, said Tiffany Yvonne, founder of Playmaker Solutions, where she helps young athletes build emotional intelligence and confidence. When their identity is all about sports, they can quickly lose confidence if they make mistakes or lose games. ?”When you know who … Read Sport Psychology Tip
How Can Athletes Stay Confident During a Shooting Slump? Summary: Every athlete will experience a shooting slump at some point. The difference isn’t talent—it’s mindset. Parents play a critical role in helping their child stay committed to the process, trust their preparation, and maintain confidence during performance dips. Table of … 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
What Can Athletes Do When Coaches Pick Favorites? Summary: Many sports parents believe coaches show favoritism when their kids don’t get enough playing time. Jen Fry, a sports geographer and speaker, says this belief often comes from parents overestimating their child’s skill and tying it to time, money, and private … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Can Young Athlete Train Their Brain to Perform Like a Pro? Summary: Visualization combined with real-time feedback helps young athletes strengthen focus, decision-making, and motor control. By practicing sport-specific mental reps, athletes accelerate skill development, maintain performance during injuries, and build confidence that transfers both on and off the field. … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Young athletes realize a number of benefits when they embrace growth mindsets, said Iuri Melo, a youth sports coach, licensed clinical social worker and co-founder of SchoolPulise, which texts youth positive psychology statements to support their mental health. These kids tend to be optimists who try harder, for longer periods … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Build Confidence by Teaching Discipline and Self-Respect Table of Contents Toggle Build Confidence by Teaching Discipline and Self-Respect Related Kids Sports Psychology Articles: THE FOCUSED SPORTS KID (DIGITAL DOWNLOAD) For Sabrina Yavil, a sports parent to three active boys, a big challenge was finding ways to get the kids to … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Young athletes often stop enjoying sports because they’re perfectionists, compare themselves to others or “mind read,” or make assumptions about what others are thinking, according to Jaclyn Ellis, a mental performance coach at Peak Performance Sports Related Kids Sports Psychology Articles: Table of Contents Toggle Related Kids Sports Psychology Articles: … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Have You Ever Experienced a Plateau in Sports? Summary: Plateaus are a normal, unavoidable part of athletic development — even elite athletes hit stretches where progress seems to stall. Understanding why plateaus happen, and how to respond to them, helps young athletes push through instead of getting discouraged. Table of … 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
Kids get emotional in street hockey. They might throw their hockey sticks because they missed a shot, for example. Coaches with the Charlotte Street Hockey League deal with such behavior by inviting kids to express their feelings, and then trying to help them find more appropriate ways to communicate. The … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Have a Calm Mindset to Reach Peak Performance Overthinking can cloud kids’ judgment and send too many signals to their bodies at one time. Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons, after the 108-103 Game 2 loss to the Boston Celtics, tweeted about his “overthinking” during the game. He committed five turnovers, … Read Sport Psychology Tip