{"id":13066,"date":"2026-02-05T12:23:38","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T17:23:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=13066"},"modified":"2026-02-20T12:40:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T17:40:20","slug":"3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Strategies to Help Athletes with a Shooting Slump"},"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\/2026\/02\/shooting-slump.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/shooting-slump.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/shooting-slump.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/shooting-slump-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=\"Helping_Young_Athletes_Stay_Confident_During_a_Shooting_Slump\"><\/span>Helping Young Athletes Stay Confident During a Shooting Slump<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 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\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/#Helping_Young_Athletes_Stay_Confident_During_a_Shooting_Slump\" >Helping Young Athletes Stay Confident During a Shooting Slump<\/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\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/#3_Strategies_for_Parents_to_Help_Their_Athlete_Through_a_Shooting_Slump\" >3 Strategies for Parents to Help Their Athlete Through a Shooting Slump<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/#1_Encourage_Positive_Habits\" >1. Encourage Positive Habits<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/#2_Highlight_Practice_Success\" >2. Highlight Practice Success<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/#3_Reinforce_Their_Identity\" >3. Reinforce Their Identity<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/#FAQ_%E2%80%93_Playing_Through_Shooting_Slumps\" >FAQ \u2013 Playing Through Shooting Slumps<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/#How_long_does_a_shooting_slump_usually_last\" >How long does a shooting slump usually last?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/#Should_my_child_change_their_mechanics_during_a_slump\" >Should my child change their mechanics during a slump?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/#What_should_parents_avoid_saying_during_a_slump\" >What should parents avoid saying during a slump?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/#Is_it_normal_for_confident_athletes_to_experience_slumps\" >Is it normal for confident athletes to experience slumps?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/#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-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/#Sports_Psychology_Programs_for_Young_Athletes\" >Sports Psychology Programs for Young Athletes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Summary<\/summary>\n<p>Every athlete will experience a <strong>shooting slump<\/strong> at some point. The difference isn\u2019t talent\u2014it\u2019s mindset. Parents play a critical role in helping their child stay committed to the process, trust their preparation, and maintain confidence during performance dips.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p>Where do your child\u2019s thoughts go when they are in a <strong>shooting slump<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do they get frustrated and try to \u201cfix their shot\u201d mid-game?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do they obsess over stats, numbers, or results instead of staying engaged in the game?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do they beat themselves up after a miss instead of moving on to the next opportunity?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All athletes\u2014whether they play basketball, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, or field hockey\u2014eventually face stretches where scoring dips. Performance drops are a normal part of sports, even when preparation and effort remain consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The challenge of a <strong>shooting slump<\/strong> is that there often appears to be no clear reason for the decline. Routines haven\u2019t changed. Preparation hasn\u2019t changed. Yet results don\u2019t reflect the work. This disconnect can lead to frustration and self-doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes clean looks don\u2019t fall. Sometimes the ball rolls wide. Sometimes your child is slightly fatigued, distracted, or under the weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Athletes who regain confidence quickly aren\u2019t the ones who panic or search for quick mechanical fixes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, athletes who bounce back\u2014and parents who support them effectively\u2014have three things in common:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>They stay committed to the process.<\/strong> They continue putting in the work during practice and maintain preparation standards even when results lag behind effort.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>They stay true to their identity.<\/strong> Elite competitors adopt a \u201cShooters shoot\u201d or \u201cPlayers play\u201d mentality. Even after multiple misses, they continue looking for opportunities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>They trust their ability.<\/strong> They rely on the preparation and repetitions they\u2019ve built over time, regardless of recent outcomes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>During the 2026 NCAA season, Boise State University point guard Dylan Andrews experienced a 7-for-40 <strong>shooting slump<\/strong> over six games. The key to turning things around wasn\u2019t overhauling his mechanics\u2014it was trusting his preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ANDREWS:<\/strong><br>\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say I had lost confidence or anything like that. It was more so just trusting myself, trusting the work I put in the days I\u2019m in the gym, the days I\u2019m tired and still want to come in. I know for a fact those are shots I make in the game, the shots I make in practice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A slump is not a failure. It doesn\u2019t mean your child has lost their skill or potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Athletes who play through a <strong>shooting slump<\/strong> with confidence don\u2019t force solutions. They rely on preparation, stick to their identity, commit to the process, and trust that results will follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Parents play a powerful role in reinforcing this mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Strategies_for_Parents_to_Help_Their_Athlete_Through_a_Shooting_Slump\"><\/span><strong>3 Strategies for Parents to Help Their Athlete Through a Shooting Slump<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Encourage_Positive_Habits\"><\/span><strong>1. Encourage Positive Habits<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A slump tempts athletes to change everything\u2014mechanics, routines, mindset. Instead, encourage consistency. Remind your athlete that their habits built their skill level. Staying patient and sticking to preparation builds stability and confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Highlight_Practice_Success\"><\/span><strong>2. Highlight Practice Success<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Use practice as proof of ability. Point out made shots, good decisions, effort, and execution in practice. Reinforcing evidence from training helps athletes separate temporary results from long-term skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Reinforce_Their_Identity\"><\/span><strong>3. Reinforce Their Identity<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Help your child remember who they are as a competitor. A shooter keeps shooting. A scorer keeps attacking. Identity-based confidence is more durable than result-based confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Supporting your child through a <strong>shooting slump<\/strong> doesn\u2019t just help restore performance\u2014it builds resilience and emotional strength that lasts beyond the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ_%E2%80%93_Playing_Through_Shooting_Slumps\"><\/span><strong>FAQ \u2013 Playing Through Shooting Slumps<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_does_a_shooting_slump_usually_last\"><\/span><strong>How long does a shooting slump usually last?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It varies. Some slumps last a few games; others extend longer. The key is maintaining preparation and confidence rather than forcing quick fixes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_my_child_change_their_mechanics_during_a_slump\"><\/span><strong>Should my child change their mechanics during a slump?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Only if a coach identifies a technical issue. Emotional reactions often cause athletes to over-adjust unnecessarily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_parents_avoid_saying_during_a_slump\"><\/span><strong>What should parents avoid saying during a slump?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid focusing on stats, missed shots, or comparisons. Emphasize effort, preparation, and trust instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_normal_for_confident_athletes_to_experience_slumps\"><\/span><strong>Is it normal for confident athletes to experience slumps?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. Even elite players experience performance dips. Slumps are part of athletic growth.<\/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\"><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\/when-basketball-players-stop-shooting-after-missing\/\">When Basketball Players Stop Shooting after Missing<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-to-deal-with-plateaus\/\">How Young Athletes Can Deal with\u00a0Plateaus in Sports<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/tips-for-playing-under-pressure\/\">Tips for Playing Under Pressure<\/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=\"Sports_Psychology_Programs_for_Young_Athletes\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-kids\/\" title=\"\">Sports Psychology Programs for Young Athletes<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re certain that, as a parents,\u00a0 you want to help your child develop confidence and discipline in sports and life.\u00a0And as a sports parent, you\u2019d love for your children to reach their potential in sports.\u00a0But encouraging your child to\u00a0<strong>strive for greatness without pressuring them<\/strong>\u00a0can be a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cMichelle had the best weekend of soccer she has ever played. She was relaxed, did not get frustrated with herself or teammates, and never once \u2018shut down.\u2019 Numerous parents noticed a difference in her composure and attitude. Thanks again for EVERYTHING\u2026 Michelle is in a very good place right now!\u201d*<\/em><br><strong>~Diana, Michelle\u2019s Mother<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-334fef19\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-499968f5 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-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-kids\/\" style=\"border-radius:9px\">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-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/products\/the-focused-sports-kid-digital\" style=\"border-radius:9px\">BUY NOW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Helping Young Athletes Stay Confident During a Shooting Slump Where do your child\u2019s thoughts go when they are in a shooting slump? Do they get frustrated and try to \u201cfix their shot\u201d mid-game? Do they obsess over stats, numbers, or results instead of staying engaged in the game? Do they &#8230; <a title=\"3 Strategies to Help Athletes with a Shooting Slump\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/3-strategies-to-help-athletes-with-a-shooting-slump\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 3 Strategies to Help Athletes with a Shooting Slump\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13068,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[264,251,117],"class_list":["post-13066","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kids-in-sports","tag-confidence-in-young-athletes","tag-youth-sports","tag-youth-sports-psychology"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13066","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=13066"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13066\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13070,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13066\/revisions\/13070"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13068"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13066"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13066"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13066"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}