{"id":11362,"date":"2025-05-01T10:50:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T14:50:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=11362"},"modified":"2025-07-07T07:43:05","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T11:43:05","slug":"how-sports-can-build-a-childs-confidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-sports-can-build-a-childs-confidence\/","title":{"rendered":"How Sports Can\u00a0Build a Child\u2019s Confidence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-7e8ca1c9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" class=\"gb-image gb-image-7e8ca1c9\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/confidence.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"confidence\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/confidence.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/confidence-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Building_Confidence_in_Kids\"><\/span>Building Confidence in Kids<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-sports-can-build-a-childs-confidence\/#Building_Confidence_in_Kids\" >Building Confidence in Kids<\/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-sports-can-build-a-childs-confidence\/#Confidence_Can_Be_Up_And_Down\" >Confidence Can Be Up And Down<\/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-sports-can-build-a-childs-confidence\/#In_order_to_build_confidence_young_athletes_need_to\" >In order to build confidence, young athletes need to:<\/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-sports-can-build-a-childs-confidence\/#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-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-sports-can-build-a-childs-confidence\/#THE_CONFIDENT_SPORTS_KID_DIGITAL_DOWNLOAD\" >THE CONFIDENT SPORTS KID (DIGITAL DOWNLOAD)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Some athletes seem to ooze&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>. They appear unfazed during championship games, in the final minutes of a contest or when trailing late in a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why do these athletes have unwavering&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>? Is there something in their DNA that generates&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Confidence is not genetic. If sports kids believe&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>&nbsp;is based on genetics, they may dismiss the notion that they can build&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only is this misperception a mistake, but it is also detrimental to kids\u2019 performance and potential.&nbsp;<strong>Confidence<\/strong>&nbsp;isn\u2019t something athletes are born with, nor is it an exclusive trait of elite athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Confidence<\/strong>&nbsp;is a skill that can be developed by anyone willing to put in the work.&nbsp;<strong>Confidence<\/strong>&nbsp;is a mental skill requiring effort, focus and dedication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If kids want game-changing&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>, they need to commit to training their mind and consider working with a mental game coach who can teach them&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>-building strategies. They need to put in the necessary work, and hold themselves accountable for developing their&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Confidence_Can_Be_Up_And_Down\"><\/span>Confidence Can Be Up And Down<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>At the 2025 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt was oozing&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>. Leavitt has established himself as one of the top young quarterbacks in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c\u2026 It\u2019s just an opportunity for me to go prove myself,\u201d he said. \u201cI hope that every player on the field feels that they\u2019re the best. That\u2019s how it should be. You put all this work in and get to this stage. So why would you not believe that yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leavitt wasn\u2019t born with high&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>. He put in the work, and his work paid dividends.&nbsp;<strong>Confidence<\/strong>&nbsp;is a commitment.&nbsp;<strong>Confidence<\/strong>&nbsp;is built on action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every day kids work on a confidence-building strategy, it shows up in their competitive performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_order_to_build_confidence_young_athletes_need_to\"><\/span>In order to build confidence, young athletes need to:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Strive for excellence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Commit to maximizing their potential<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look for different ways to build on their talent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improve the weaker areas of their game<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prioritize mental skills training<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Break through personal barriers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Broaden their technical skill set<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Push themselves to higher levels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take ownership of their practice and competitive performances<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Never relent on improving little aspects of their game.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Confidence<\/strong>&nbsp;is not reserved for the elite.&nbsp;<strong>Confidence<\/strong>&nbsp;is a mental skill developed by athletes who have the drive to achieve greatness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>, sports kids can challenge themselves, learn from setbacks and consistently push beyond their perceived limits. And when they commit to confidence, it\u2019s game-changing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Confidence<\/strong>&nbsp;is a process built step by step, not overnight. Identifying steps and strategies is crucial to the&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>-building process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Young athletes need to set&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>&nbsp;goals, create a goal plan, implement strategies and evaluate their progress to stay on the path to building game-changing&nbsp;<strong>confidence<\/strong>!<\/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\/9-ways-to-build-confidence-in-young-athletes\/\"><strong>9 Ways to\u00a0Build Confidence\u00a0in Young Athletes<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-archery-builds-confidence-and-focus-in-kids\/\"><strong>How Archery Builds Confidence and Focus in Kids<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-this-sport-builds-confidence-and-focus-in-kids\/\"><strong>How This Sport Builds Confidence and Focus in Kids<\/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 <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 has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"THE_CONFIDENT_SPORTS_KID_DIGITAL_DOWNLOAD\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/products\/the-confident-sports-kid-digital\">THE CONFIDENT SPORTS KID (DIGITAL DOWNLOAD)<\/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\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidssportspsychology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/confident-sports-kid360.jpg\" alt=\"The Confident Sports Kid\" class=\"wp-image-2294\" style=\"width:160px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201c<strong>The Confident Sports Kid<\/strong>\u201d program is actually&nbsp;<strong>two programs: one<\/strong>&nbsp;that teaches sports parents how to boost their kids\u2019 confidence, and another that teaches young athletes age 8 to 18&nbsp;<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\n<p>The Confident Sports Kid&nbsp;Audio &amp; Workbook program teaches your athletes how to identify confidence busters, proactively deal with them, manage expectations that undermine confidence.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cWe just completed the first ten tips,&nbsp;it has helped tremendously&nbsp;for (our daughter) and us. We\u2019ve learned to keep our behavior and comments in check. She\u2019s&nbsp;letting mistakes happen&nbsp;and&nbsp;not worrying about them, she\u2019s&nbsp;now just moves on&nbsp;to the next play with the same attitude as before the mistakes. She\u2019s&nbsp;playing more aggressively&nbsp;all game. Her coach even mentioned that whatever we are doing, keep doing because&nbsp;it\u2019s working.\u201d<\/em><strong> ~Scott, Sports Dad<\/strong><\/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\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/products\/the-confident-sports-kid-digital\">GET DETAILS<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Building Confidence in Kids Some athletes seem to ooze&nbsp;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&nbsp;confidence? Is there something in their DNA that generates&nbsp;confidence? Confidence is not genetic. If sports kids &#8230; <a title=\"How Sports Can\u00a0Build a Child\u2019s Confidence\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-sports-can-build-a-childs-confidence\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How Sports Can\u00a0Build a Child\u2019s Confidence\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11364,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[64,517],"class_list":["post-11362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kids-in-sports","tag-confidence","tag-confidence-and-young-athletes"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11362","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=11362"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11362\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11362"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11362"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}