{"id":23,"date":"2007-04-18T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2007-04-18T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=23"},"modified":"2025-08-08T06:27:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T10:27:48","slug":"how-youth-athletes-cope-with-pressure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-youth-athletes-cope-with-pressure\/","title":{"rendered":"How Youth Athletes Cope with Pressure"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you know what kind of pressures young athletes face in sports<\/a>?<\/p>\n

As sports parents, it’s important to be tuned in to this issue. If your athletes are equestrians, for example, they likely feel pressure to perform up to their abilities.<\/p>\n

Then there’s the added pressure of dealing with their horses’ ups and downs. Add to that the potential for danger-and you’ve got a pressure-cooker situation at times.<\/p>\n

That’s what Missy Clark, head trainer and owner of North Run Show Stables, Warren, Vermont told us in a recent interview. She works with some of the top young riders in the country.<\/p>\n

What distinguishes the top performers in high-pressure situations?<\/p>\n

They understand the mental side of sports, Clark says. In fact, one of her most successful young athletes had a mind like a “sponge” for sports psychology, she says. “She wasn’t the most naturally talented rider, but she had an incredibly open mind about the mental aspect of sports.”<\/p>\n

That’s true of kids in all sports. They face numerous pressures.<\/p>\n

They may intimidate themselves by comparing themselves to their competitors. They may pressure themselves to perform better than their peers. They may feel pressure from coaches to improve their performance.<\/p>\n

If sports kids can identify and learn how to cope with these pressures, they’ve got a tremendous advantage. They’re likely to be happier and more successful.<\/p>\n

We know that your kids likely impose lots of pressure on themselves.<\/p>\n

They don’t need any additional pressure from you. Be very careful about how you phrase your words of “support,” especially before a competition or game. Even if you say, before a game, “I hope you score three goals today,” you’re pressuring your athletes.<\/p>\n

Do you want to learn more about how to boost your young athlete’s mental game? Check out our Ultimate Sports Parent workbook and CD program. You’ll learn how to:<\/p>\n