{"id":11056,"date":"2024-04-04T18:55:40","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T22:55:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=11056"},"modified":"2025-07-07T08:39:26","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T12:39:26","slug":"helping-athletes-play-higher-ranked-teams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-athletes-play-higher-ranked-teams\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Play Higher-Ranked Teams"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mental-game-prep-for-higher-ranked-teams.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mental-game-prep-for-higher-ranked-teams.jpg\" alt=\"Helping Athletes Play Higher-Ranked Teams\" class=\"wp-image-11057\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mental-game-prep-for-higher-ranked-teams.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mental-game-prep-for-higher-ranked-teams-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mentally_Prepare_to_Compete_Against_Higher-Ranked_Teams\"><\/span>Mentally Prepare to Compete Against Higher-Ranked Teams<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-athletes-play-higher-ranked-teams\/#Mentally_Prepare_to_Compete_Against_Higher-Ranked_Teams\" >Mentally Prepare to Compete Against Higher-Ranked Teams<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-athletes-play-higher-ranked-teams\/#Building_belief_is_the_first_step_in_athletic_success%E2%80%A6\" >Building belief is the first step in athletic success&#8230;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-athletes-play-higher-ranked-teams\/#Related_Kids_Sports_Psychology_Articles\" >Related Kids Sports Psychology Articles:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-athletes-play-higher-ranked-teams\/#The_Confident_Sports_Kid\" >The Confident Sports Kid<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>The main mental ingredient in upset victories is <strong>belief<\/strong>. By <strong>belief<\/strong>, we\u2019re not just talking about pie-in-the-sky <strong>belief<\/strong>, but belief steeped in reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step in understanding <strong>belief<\/strong> is to know the effect of a lack of <strong>belief<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Young athletes who lack <strong>belief<\/strong> constantly experience doubts such as \u201cHow can we beat them? That team is undefeated!\u201d or \u201cHow is victory even possible when that athlete is ranked No. 1?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a team or its athletes don\u2019t believe they have a chance for victory, their preparation, confidence, effort and focus will fall significantly below 100%.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After all, why would an athlete be fully committed if they believe a loss is a certainty?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To build <strong>belief<\/strong>, young athletes need a mixture of work, effort, preparation, confidence, positive self-talk and mental toughness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Work<\/strong> \u2013 Developing sports kids\u2019 mental and technical skills to their fullest helps build trust in kids\u2019 ability to compete.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Effort<\/strong>\u2014When young athletes put maximum effort into training sessions, they know they can produce the same level of effort in competition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Preparation<\/strong> \u2013 Out-preparing opponents, mentally and physically, gives kids a significant edge heading into the competition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Confidence<\/strong> \u2013 To beat the best, athletes must have the confidence they can compete on the opponent\u2019s level.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Self-Talk<\/strong> \u2013 Belief requires athletes to send themselves positive messages that enhance performance, competitiveness and production.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mental Toughness<\/strong> \u2013 Kids need to build their mental toughness to the point that they know they can overcome any adversity that comes their way.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Building_belief_is_the_first_step_in_athletic_success%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>Building <strong>belief<\/strong> is the first step in athletic success&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>During the 2024 March Madness NCAA tournament, No. 14 Oakland University upset No. 3 seed Kentucky, 80-76, in the first round. However, Oakland didn\u2019t see the win as an upset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oakland head coach Greg Kampe stressed the team members believed in themselves, no matter who they faced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe wanted Kentucky because they\u2019re the best,\u201d Kampe said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kampe fueled his team\u2019s <strong>beliefs<\/strong> throughout the game with consistent positive messages, such as, \u201cWe win close games.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oakland guard Jack Gohlke, who made ten three-pointers, reaffirmed the team\u2019s level of <strong>belief<\/strong> when he exclaimed after the game, \u201cWe\u2019re not a Cinderella.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if other people believe a youth sports team is the \u201cCinderella,\u201d kids don\u2019t have to buy into that opinion. Athletes are the only ones who know what they do behind the scenes to prepare.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nobody sees the work young athletes put in to compete against the very best\u2026 and nobody\u2019s <strong>belief<\/strong> matters except for the athlete\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Crafting a winning mental game starts with building a positive <strong>belief<\/strong> system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every day, during training sessions, sports kids have the opportunity to build <strong>belief<\/strong> in their game. Their thoughts and actions either add to or detract from their belief level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kids can be empowered by choosing thoughts and actions that boost their <strong>belief<\/strong> in themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"related-articles-on-hockey-mental-game\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Kids_Sports_Psychology_Articles\"><\/span>Related Kids Sports Psychology Articles:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/tips-for-playing-under-pressure\/\"><strong>Tips for Playing Under Pressure<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/playing-through-adversity\/\"><strong>Playing Through Adversity<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/when-athletes-only-dwell-on-post-game-mistakes\/\"><strong>When Athletes Only Dwell on Post Game Mistakes<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-f49818fa-7c7a-4ee3-b5ee-66581aad2c71\">*Subscribe to\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/sports-psychology-podcast-by-peaksports-com\/id152566009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>on iTunes<br>*Subscribe to <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0ynyaalKxbnNmsoeL8gF5X?si=8224669de9b3435b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/strong><\/a> on Spotify<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Confident_Sports_Kid\"><\/span>The Confident Sports Kid <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidssportspsychology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/the-confident-sports-kid-workbook250.jpg\" alt=\"Help Athletes Improve Confidence\" class=\"wp-image-2101\" style=\"width:148px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>When kids lack confidence, <strong>they doubt themselves, stop taking risks, play tentatively, and are hard on themselves<\/strong>. As a result, kids often lose their motivation to improve. Ultimately, these barriers keep them from enjoying sports and making the most of their physical talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<strong>The Confident Sports Kid<\/strong>\u201d program is actually <strong>two programs: one<\/strong> that teaches sports parents how to boost their kids\u2019 confidence, and another that teaches young athletes age 8 to 18 <strong>how to improve their self talk, avoid negative thinking, overcome expectations that limit confidence<\/strong>, and much more. The program will help kids boost their confidence in sports and life\u2026and enjoy sports more.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-6feea2fc\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-148d177e gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-confident-sports-kid-cd-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET DETAILS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-5827f924 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/products\/the-confident-sports-kid-digital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BUY NOW<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mentally Prepare to Compete Against Higher-Ranked Teams The main mental ingredient in upset victories is belief. By belief, we\u2019re not just talking about pie-in-the-sky belief, but belief steeped in reality. The first step in understanding belief is to know the effect of a lack of belief. Young athletes who lack &#8230; <a title=\"How to Play Higher-Ranked Teams\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-athletes-play-higher-ranked-teams\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How to Play Higher-Ranked Teams\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11058,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[264,310,39,301],"class_list":["post-11056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-confidence-in-young-athletes","tag-focus-in-youth-sports","tag-kids-sports-psychology","tag-pressure-in-youth-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11056","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11056"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11056\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}