{"id":25,"date":"2007-05-03T03:16:00","date_gmt":"2007-05-03T03:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=25"},"modified":"2025-08-08T06:18:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T10:18:57","slug":"helping-perfectionistic-sports-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-perfectionistic-sports-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping Perfectionistic Sports Kids"},"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\/2023\/01\/how-overuse-injuries-affect-athletes-mindset.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/how-overuse-injuries-affect-athletes-mindset.jpg\" alt=\"How Overuse Injuries Affect Athletes\u2019 Mindset\" class=\"wp-image-7649\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/how-overuse-injuries-affect-athletes-mindset.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/how-overuse-injuries-affect-athletes-mindset-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=\"Overcoming_Perfectionism_in_Youth_Sports\"><\/span>Overcoming Perfectionism in Youth Sports<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\/helping-perfectionistic-sports-kids\/#Overcoming_Perfectionism_in_Youth_Sports\" >Overcoming Perfectionism 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\/helping-perfectionistic-sports-kids\/#Its_not_always_easy_for_perfectionist_athletes_to_perform_up_to_their_abilities\" >It&#8217;s not always easy for perfectionist athletes to perform up to their abilities.<\/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\/helping-perfectionistic-sports-kids\/#There_is_one_important_task_for_you_as_parent%E2%80%A6\" >There is one important task for you as parent&#8230;<\/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\/helping-perfectionistic-sports-kids\/#Related_Articles_on_Youth_Sports\" >Related Articles on Youth Sports:<\/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\/helping-perfectionistic-sports-kids\/#Help_Young_Athletes_Boost_Confidence_in_Sports\" >Help Young Athletes Boost Confidence in Sports!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Often, we hear from parents who worry about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/\">young athletes who are too hard on themselves<\/a>. You&#8217;re likely familiar with these types of athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>They&#8217;re perfectionists!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Perfectionists<\/strong> athletes criticize themselves for making mistakes, often hold very high expectations for themselves, and get frustrated easily after making mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the <strong>positive<\/strong> side, these athletes have a strong work ethic, are <strong>committed<\/strong> to their goals, and want to learn and <strong>improve.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, most athletes display at least some <strong>&#8216;perfectionistic&#8217;<\/strong> traits from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Its_not_always_easy_for_perfectionist_athletes_to_perform_up_to_their_abilities\"><\/span>It&#8217;s not always easy for perfectionist athletes to perform up to their abilities.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When kids try to be perfect, they can undermine their own talents quickly. They hold strict expectations about their performance, are afraid of failing, and worry too much about results, statistics, goals scored or wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your <strong>young athlete<\/strong> is a <strong>perfectionist,<\/strong> begin by identifying the traits that may be sabotaging his or her <strong>confidence<\/strong> in competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Does your child want to win so badly that he feels anxious?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is your athlete afraid of failing or losing?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does he or she play tentatively during games?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does your athlete try too hard and then over-control his or her performance?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"There_is_one_important_task_for_you_as_parent%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>There is one important task for you as parent&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Parents with <strong>perfectionist<\/strong> athletes should help kids identify their high (often unrealistic) expectations about how they should perform. Then, help your child replace these expectations with simple <strong>process<\/strong> goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, say your athlete believes he or she should hit every shot perfectly. Suggest that your child replace his or her <em>&#8220;I must hit every shot perfectly&#8221;<\/em> <strong>mindset<\/strong> with these simple <strong>process goals<\/strong> or objectives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pick the right target for each shot.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be decisive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be confident.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to learn more about how to build <strong>confidence<\/strong> and <strong>success<\/strong> in young athletes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out our workbook\/CD program, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/ultimate-sports-parent-workbook-cd-program\/\">The Ultimate Sports Parent: A 14-Day Plan for Kids&#8217; Success in Sports<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You&#8217;ll also learn how to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Decide how much pressure is too much pressure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Motivate<\/strong> kids to master their sport<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Help kids feel <strong>confident<\/strong> in athletics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Help <strong>young athletes<\/strong> not worry about what everyone thinks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Guide children as they cope with frustration, anger and heartache in sports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cope with kids&#8217; difficult or negative coaches<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide young athletes with the right kind of support after defeats or mistakes<\/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=\"related-articles-on-hockey-mental-game\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Articles_on_Youth_Sports\"><\/span>Related Articles on Youth Sports:<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\/why-sports-parents-shouldnt-encourage-perfectionism\/\"><strong>Why Sports Parents Shouldn\u2019t Encourage Perfectionism<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/young-athlete-who-freeze-up-during-games\/\"><strong>Young Athlete Who Freeze Up During Games<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/young-athletes-must-trust-the-grind\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-perfectionists-overcome-fragile-confidence\/\"><strong>Helping Perfectionists Overcome Fragile Confidence<\/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-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Help_Young_Athletes_Boost_Confidence_in_Sports\"><\/span>Help Young Athletes Boost Confidence in Sports!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><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:167px;height:auto\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Every day, we receive letters from parents like you who want their children and teens to excel in sports. However, these parents can <strong>see fear, doubt, and frustration on the faces of their kids<\/strong> who struggle with the \u201cinner\u201d game of sports. But these parents have no idea how to help their kids <strong>overcome the worries, expectations and self-defeating thoughts<\/strong> that prevent their young athletes from feeling confident and successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can benefit from our 1<strong>5-plus years\u2019 of work in sports psychology and sports parenting research<\/strong>. Now, you can <strong>tap into our secrets to sports success<\/strong> through a cutting-edge, 14-day program that helps young athletes overcome the top \u201cmental game\u201d challenges that sports parents face\u2014and the top <strong>challenges young athletes face<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-fbab03ed\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-fa7bf2e7 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/ultimate-sports-parent-workbook-cd-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET DETAILS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-33bcee1d gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/products\/the-ultimate-sports-parent-digital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BUY NOW<\/a>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overcoming Perfectionism in Youth Sports Often, we hear from parents who worry about young athletes who are too hard on themselves. You&#8217;re likely familiar with these types of athletes. They&#8217;re perfectionists! Perfectionists athletes criticize themselves for making mistakes, often hold very high expectations for themselves, and get frustrated easily after &#8230; <a title=\"Helping Perfectionistic Sports Kids\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-perfectionistic-sports-kids\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Helping Perfectionistic Sports Kids\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7648,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,4,7,3,6],"tags":[281,173,117],"class_list":["post-25","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kids-in-sports","category-sports-psychology-for-sports-parents","category-sports-psychology-for-kids","category-youth-sports","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-perfectionism-in-young-athletes","tag-tips-for-sports-parents","tag-youth-sports-psychology"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25","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=25"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7648"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}