{"id":11074,"date":"2024-03-14T23:17:16","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T03:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=11074"},"modified":"2025-07-08T05:31:38","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T09:31:38","slug":"how-young-athletes-can-cope-with-adversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-young-athletes-can-cope-with-adversity\/","title":{"rendered":"How Young Athletes Can Cope with Adversity"},"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\/05\/dealing-with-adversity.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/dealing-with-adversity.jpg\" alt=\"How Young Athletes Can Cope with Adversity\" class=\"wp-image-11075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/dealing-with-adversity.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/dealing-with-adversity-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=\"Do_not_use_%E2%80%9Cto_make_matters_worse%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>Do not use \u201cto make matters worse.\u201d <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\/how-young-athletes-can-cope-with-adversity\/#Do_not_use_%E2%80%9Cto_make_matters_worse%E2%80%9D\" >Do not use \u201cto make matters worse.\u201d<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-young-athletes-can-cope-with-adversity\/#Do_not_add_to_Adversity\" >Do not add to Adversity<\/a><\/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\/how-young-athletes-can-cope-with-adversity\/#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\/how-young-athletes-can-cope-with-adversity\/#Helping_Perfectionist_Young_Athletes\" >Helping Perfectionist Young Athletes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Many sports announcers use the phrase to describe an athlete\u2019s or team\u2019s worsening prospects or condition throughout a season<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many young athletes get stuck in the habit of catastrophizing. They often highlight every bad break, unlucky event and poor showing as an excuse for a future loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, \u201cOur team has been battling nagging injuries all year, and one of our best players is out. The last two games we played were our worst games of the year. To make matters worse, we have to play against the top team in the league to advance to the playoffs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When sports kids build a case against themselves, they do \u201c<strong>make matters worse<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only does catastrophizing hurt their confidence, it keeps them focused on the problem. And it keeps them focused on negativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To break out of the catastrophizing mode, young athletes need to focus on solutions. It is important to remember that while kids may not be able to change their current circumstances, they do have control over their reactions and actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When <strong>adversity<\/strong> strikes, kids should focus on their game plan, preparation and approach for the next competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This solution-based focus is empowering. A \u201c<strong>focus on solutions<\/strong>\u201d mindset gives sports kids a sense of control and confidence to move forward and compete to the best of their abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Philadelphia Eagles started the 2023-24 season with a 10-1 record and appeared to be one of the NFL\u2019s best teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_not_add_to_Adversity\"><\/span>Do not add to Adversity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>During the final month and a half of the season, the Eagles proceeded to fall apart and ended their regular season by losing five of their last six games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Eagles finished the season with a record of 11-6. Instead of winning the NFC&nbsp;East crown, the Eagles had to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Wild Card playoff game on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of focusing on the team\u2019s struggles and injuries, Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox chose to remain optimistic and focus on solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When asked about the team\u2019s declining performance, Cox said he is focused on \u201c<strong>what\u2019s next<\/strong>\u201d rather than \u201c<strong>what has happened in the past<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe get to go out and play again next week,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019re speaking of our last six weeks, and I\u2019m speaking of the weekend we have coming up ahead of us. I want to think positive and not negative. It\u2019s a whole brand new season for everybody; no matter what went on in the past, no matter what went on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What happened last week doesn\u2019t matter; even what happened yesterday is past. The most important thing young athletes can do is to work toward <strong>success<\/strong> <strong>today<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of tallying up the negatives against them, young athletes should look for evidence that supports their success, such as, \u201cNo one can outwork me. I can gain a significant edge with my mental game. I think quick on my feet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When kids look for evidence that supports their chances of success, they will prepare and compete with more confidence.<\/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\/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\/how-this-olympian-overcame-adversity-after-almost-losing-both-legs\/\"><strong>How This Olympian Overcame Adversity After Almost Losing Both Legs<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/adversity-in-young-athletes\/\"><strong>Adversity in Young Athletes<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-f49818fa-7c7a-4ee3-b5ee-66581aad2c71\">*Subscribe to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/sports-psychology-podcast-by-peaksports-com\/id152566009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0on iTunes<br>*Subscribe to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0ynyaalKxbnNmsoeL8gF5X?si=8224669de9b3435b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a> <\/strong>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 has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Helping_Perfectionist_Young_Athletes\"><\/span>Helping Perfectionist Young Athletes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, you can learn how to help young athletes&nbsp;<strong>overcome the difficult cycle of perfectionism<\/strong>, fear of failure and loss of confidence. You can stop guessing about what to do and say to your athlete!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As an active sports mom and parenting author, I\u2019ve asked my brother, a&nbsp;<strong>sports psychology expert&nbsp;<\/strong>who had helped his students with these same challenges for over 15 years, to help me develop a program for young athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our program: \u201c<em><strong>Sports Parents\u2019 Top Dilemma: Helping Young Athletes Kick Perfectionism and Fear of Failure,<\/strong><\/em>\u201d will walk you through the problem and arm you with practical solutions you can start implementing today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll start seeing changes in your young athlete\u2019s confidence almost immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-center wp-element-button\">Get Details<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do not use \u201cto make matters worse.\u201d Many sports announcers use the phrase to describe an athlete\u2019s or team\u2019s worsening prospects or condition throughout a season Many young athletes get stuck in the habit of catastrophizing. They often highlight every bad break, unlucky event and poor showing as an excuse &#8230; <a title=\"How Young Athletes Can Cope with Adversity\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-young-athletes-can-cope-with-adversity\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How Young Athletes Can Cope with Adversity\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11076,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[286,461],"class_list":["post-11074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-adversity-in-sports","tag-how-sports-kids-can-overcome-adversity"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11074","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=11074"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11074\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11074"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11074"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}