{"id":11583,"date":"2025-05-15T15:30:55","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T19:30:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=11583"},"modified":"2025-07-07T07:37:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T11:37:08","slug":"boost-confidence-in-young-athletes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/boost-confidence-in-young-athletes\/","title":{"rendered":"How to\u00a0Boost Confidence\u00a0in Young Athletes"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidssportspsychology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/youth-confidence.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3014\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Confidence_is_Key_in_Youth_Sports\"><\/span>Confidence is Key in Youth Sports<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\/boost-confidence-in-young-athletes\/#Confidence_is_Key_in_Youth_Sports\" >Confidence is Key in Youth Sports<\/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\/boost-confidence-in-young-athletes\/#Confidence_Boosting_in_Practice\" >Confidence Boosting in Practice<\/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\/boost-confidence-in-young-athletes\/#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\/boost-confidence-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><strong>Confidence<\/strong> helps young athletes accomplish a lot in their sport. However, for some athletes, crushing it at a high level can increase the pressure to stay on top or perform consistently at a high level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>High expectations from the outside world and within can cause athletes to feel they are supposed to win or achieve a personal best every time they compete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When kids have excessively high expectations before competing, distractive thoughts swirl in their mind that detract from their preparation, focus and performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While athletes need to be confident in their ability to win, they must also temper their expectations. <strong>Confidence<\/strong> fuels performance while excessive pressure interferes with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Managing expectations allows kids to focus on executing their skills rather than obsessing over outcomes. They need to understand that outcomes are not entirely under their control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Managing expectations is essential for peak performance. Sports kids can temper expectations by focusing on controllable factors such as effort, execution and mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Certain thoughts can alert athletes that their expectations are excessively high. For example, \u201cI need to win since I\u2019m seeded first,\u201d \u201cWhat will others think of me if I lose,\u201d or \u201cMy team expects me to be the best player on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Confidence_Boosting_in_Practice\"><\/span>Confidence Boosting in Practice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These early warning signs can inform kids that it\u2019s time to switch their focus.<br>Athletes can switch their focus away from outcomes by focusing on pre-competition routines, reminding themselves that outcomes are not fully under their control, or telling themselves, \u201cI\u2019ve prepared my best, let \u2018s just see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The key for kids is to prepare their best, which helps them feel confident in their abilities. The next step is for kids to get out of their own way by letting go of their expectations, trusting their training and putting forth their best effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Olympic gold medalist Masai Russell ran the second-fastest 100m hurdles time in history to open the 2025 Grand Slam Track Miami meet. Russell won in 12.17 seconds, five hundredths shy of the world record. Russell was highly confident heading into the track meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI continue to say I\u2019m one of the best hurdlers ever. I\u2019m going to always stand by that,\u201d Russell said. However, Russell understood that excessively high expectations can hold athletes back from competing freely and performing at their highest level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI didn\u2019t expect that, but I just went out there and competed. It shows when you turn your brain off and compete, you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kids need <strong>confidence<\/strong> and tempered expectations to perform at peak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While <strong>confidence<\/strong> lays the groundwork for peak performance, managing expectations keeps them steady, calm and focused during challenging competitions, allowing their talents and training to come forth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before every competition, athletes should examine their thoughts and determine if their expectations are problematic. If their expectations are too high, they should refocus on what they can control: their effort, focus and attitude.<\/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.kidssportspsychology.com\/confidence-boosting-strategies-for-young-athletes\/\"><strong>Confidence Boosting Strategies\u00a0for Young Athletes<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidssportspsychology.com\/confidence-is-a-skill-that-can-be-developed\/\"><strong>How Sports Can\u00a0Build a Child\u2019s Confidence<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidssportspsychology.com\/9-ways-to-build-confidence-in-young-athletes\/\"><strong>9 Ways to\u00a0Build Confidence\u00a0in 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 <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=\"Ultimate_Sports_Parent_Workbook_and_CD_Program\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/ultimate-sports-parent-workbook-cd-program\/\">Ultimate Sports Parent Workbook and CD Program<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDiscover How To Boost Athletes\u2019 Confidence, Happiness and Success in Sports \u2013 In A Practical, Step-by-Step Program Designed Just For Sports Parents!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn Powerful Mental Toughness Secrets to Improve Any Child\u2019s Success in Sports! Get Proven Strategies From Leading Youth Sports Experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cAs parents, we supply our sports kids with all the best in equipment and coaches. But just having the right mindset using sports psychology is the least expensive and most effective investment in them.\u201d<br><\/em><strong>~Julia Dreyer, sports mom to two champion equestrians<\/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:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/ultimate-sports-parent-workbook-cd-program\/\">GET DETAILS<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Confidence is Key in Youth Sports Confidence helps young athletes accomplish a lot in their sport. However, for some athletes, crushing it at a high level can increase the pressure to stay on top or perform consistently at a high level. High expectations from the outside world and within can &#8230; <a title=\"How to\u00a0Boost Confidence\u00a0in Young Athletes\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/boost-confidence-in-young-athletes\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How to\u00a0Boost Confidence\u00a0in Young Athletes\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11584,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[264,309,251],"class_list":["post-11583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kids-in-sports","tag-confidence-in-young-athletes","tag-confidence-in-youth-sports","tag-youth-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11583","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=11583"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11583\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}