{"id":11143,"date":"2024-05-23T17:02:02","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T21:02:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=11143"},"modified":"2025-07-07T08:31:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T12:31:20","slug":"boosting-mental-toughness-in-young-athletes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/boosting-mental-toughness-in-young-athletes\/","title":{"rendered":"Boosting\u00a0Mental Toughness in Young Athletes"},"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\/07\/mental-toughness.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/mental-toughness.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11144\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/mental-toughness.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/mental-toughness-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_it_take_for_kids_to_perform_at_their_peak_during_playoffs\"><\/span>What does it take for kids to perform at their peak during playoffs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 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\/boosting-mental-toughness-in-young-athletes\/#What_does_it_take_for_kids_to_perform_at_their_peak_during_playoffs\" >What does it take for kids to perform at their peak during playoffs?<\/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\/boosting-mental-toughness-in-young-athletes\/#Examining_Zibanejads_mindset_you_can_understand_why_he_has_played_at_a_high_level_during_the_playoffs\" >Examining Zibanejad\u2019s mindset, you can understand why he has played at a high level during the playoffs.<\/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\/boosting-mental-toughness-in-young-athletes\/#Related_Youth_Psychology_Articles\" >Related Youth 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\/boosting-mental-toughness-in-young-athletes\/#Ultimate_Sports_Parent_Workbook_and_CD_Program\" >Ultimate Sports Parent Workbook and CD Program<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pressure increases a notch in the playoffs. A loss during the regular season is just a loss, just one game. However, in the playoffs, one game may be the difference between going home or going to the championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Elite athletes can regulate the pressure, while other players have difficulty controlling how they experience pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four factors help players perform at their peak during the playoffs. These four interrelated factors help sports kids regulate pressure so they can perform their best given the circumstances:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mindset <\/strong>\u2013 Kids should not make the game too big or try to be playoff heroes. The key for young athletes is to understand and carry out their role to the best of their abilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focus <\/strong>\u2013 Young athletes should stay present and look for opportunities to make plays in the moment. Competing in the present minimizes worry about making mistakes or losing the game.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Preparation <\/strong>\u2013 Kids need to prepare in the same manner as they have all year. They should try to normalize the game to prevent becoming overwhelmed by the moment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confidence \u2013 While each of the three previous tops impact confidence, it\u2019s still essential for sports kids to ensure they feel confident. To achieve this, many elite athletes visualize previous successful performances or performing at their peak before a game to keep their confidence high.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If kids embrace these four mental strategies, they will minimize distractions and perform confidently in the playoffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout the first five games of the 2024 NHL playoffs, New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad has consistently produced despite the pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zibanejad has 10 points in five games (three goals and one assist) and is tied for second in postseason scoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Examining_Zibanejads_mindset_you_can_understand_why_he_has_played_at_a_high_level_during_the_playoffs\"><\/span>Examining Zibanejad\u2019s mindset, you can understand why he has played at a high level during the playoffs.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI go out there and try to do my best and do whatever I can in that situation. If things are not clicking offensively, I know I have other areas I can contribute,\u201d he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think in terms of the goals and the points for an offensive guy they will come, I\u2019ve been just trying to focus on doing the right things and when I have a chance to attack the game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s not just how Zibanejad has played in the playoffs but how he prepares for each game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ranger teammate Jack Roslovic points to Zibanejad\u2019s preparation as the key to his peak playoff performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s not easy to score big points in the playoffs so for [Zibanejad] to do that at this time of the year is important,\u201d Roslovic said. \u201cYou see him in practice, his preparation; I don\u2019t think anyone should be surprised at what he\u2019s doing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kids achieve peak playoff results by attending to their mental game. They should train their mind to be on top of their game. This lays the foundation for peak play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Help sports kids create a mental playoff preparation plan for the days leading up to a game by answering the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How will I tend to my mindset to positively contribute to my team?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How can I be \u201clocked in\u201d during the game?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How can I prepare over the following days to be mentally, physically, technically, and tactically ready to compete?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What can I do each day to maintain a high level of confidence?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\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\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Youth_Psychology_Articles\"><\/span>Related Youth 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\/how-sports-kids-emotions-affect-teammates\/\"><strong>How Sports Kids\u2019 Emotions Affect Teammates<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-parents-emotions-affect-sports-kids\/\"><strong>How Parents\u2019 Emotions Affect Sports Kids<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-sports-kids-develop-an-emotional-iq\/\"><strong>Helping Sports Kids Develop an Emotional IQ<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\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=\"block-2af4b66a-7a25-46fc-b627-e07fc2853075\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ultimate_Sports_Parent_Workbook_and_CD_Program\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/ultimate-sports-parent-workbook-cd-program\/\" title=\"Ultimate Sports Parent Workbook and CD Program\">Ultimate Sports Parent Workbook and CD Program<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\" id=\"block-59efff1d-7aae-4218-86ef-46a87932eb50\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/ultimate-sports-parent-small.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/ultimate-sports-parent-small.jpg\" alt=\"The Ultimate Sports Parent\" class=\"wp-image-11157\" style=\"width:160px\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every day, we receive letters from parents like you who want&nbsp;their children and teens to excel in sports. However, these parents can&nbsp;<strong>see fear, doubt, and frustration on the faces of their kids<\/strong>&nbsp;who struggle with the \u201cinner\u201d game of sports. But these parents have no idea how to help their kids&nbsp;<strong>overcome the worries, expectations and self-defeating thoughts<\/strong>&nbsp;that prevent their young athletes from feeling confident and successful.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s difficult for sports parents<strong>&nbsp;to watch their kids under-perform<\/strong>&nbsp;in sports and&nbsp;<strong>lose self-esteem<\/strong>&nbsp;due&nbsp;<strong>to fear, doubt and tentativeness<\/strong>. It\u2019s hard to stand idle and watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The solutions are not obvious. However, you, as a parent, can learn how to respond to your athletes\u2019 fears, doubts, and frustrations.&nbsp;You can develop happy, successful kids who are \u201cmentally tough\u201d in sports \u2013 and life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-7d812b4c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-25\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/ultimate-sports-parent-workbook-cd-program\/\" style=\"border-radius:9px;background-color:#709633\">DETAILS<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-25\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/ultimate-sports-parent-workbook-cd-program\/\" style=\"border-radius:9px;background-color:#709633\">BUY NOW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What does it take for kids to perform at their peak during playoffs? Pressure increases a notch in the playoffs. A loss during the regular season is just a loss, just one game. However, in the playoffs, one game may be the difference between going home or going to the &#8230; <a title=\"Boosting\u00a0Mental Toughness in Young Athletes\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/boosting-mental-toughness-in-young-athletes\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Boosting\u00a0Mental Toughness in Young Athletes\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11145,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[309,301],"class_list":["post-11143","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-confidence-in-youth-sports","tag-pressure-in-youth-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 5.0.0.1 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Kids achieve peak playoff results by attending to their mental game. 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