{"id":4660,"date":"2017-06-29T17:46:49","date_gmt":"2017-06-29T17:46:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=4660"},"modified":"2025-07-10T08:12:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T12:12:37","slug":"help-sports-kids-be-ready-when-they-get-in-the-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-sports-kids-be-ready-when-they-get-in-the-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Help Sports Kids Be Ready When They Get in the Game"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4663 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/help-sports-kids-be-ready-when-they-get-in-the-game.jpg\" alt=\"Pregame Mental Preparation\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/help-sports-kids-be-ready-when-they-get-in-the-game.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/help-sports-kids-be-ready-when-they-get-in-the-game-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pregame_Mental_Preparation_For_Young_Athletes\"><\/span>Pregame Mental Preparation For Young Athletes<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\/help-sports-kids-be-ready-when-they-get-in-the-game\/#Pregame_Mental_Preparation_For_Young_Athletes\" >Pregame Mental Preparation For Young Athletes<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-sports-kids-be-ready-when-they-get-in-the-game\/#As_Alexander_Pope_said\" >As Alexander Pope said:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-sports-kids-be-ready-when-they-get-in-the-game\/#Kids_cant_get_into_the_flow_when_they\" >Kids can&#8217;t get into the flow when they:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/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\/help-sports-kids-be-ready-when-they-get-in-the-game\/#Related_Articles_on_Kids_Mental_Game\" >Related Articles on Kids&#8217; Mental Game:<\/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\/help-sports-kids-be-ready-when-they-get-in-the-game\/#Improve_Your_Mental_Game_From_Anywhere_In_The_World\" >Improve Your Mental Game From Anywhere In The World<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>A sports parent asks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;My son is an excellent baseball player, but his coach will barely play him. My son is very frustrated and has tried to talk to the coach a couple of times about getting more playing time, but the coach has not put him in. Is there a way my son can finish the season with a positive attitude, as well as show the coach how good of a player he is?&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, a positive attitude is one thing under his control. And having a <strong>positive attitude<\/strong> is an essential part of helping athletes perform their best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s common for good players to perform poorly under <strong>pressure,<\/strong> such as the <strong>stress<\/strong> caused by a coach who appears to think your son&#8217;s play is not satisfactory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, a coach&#8217;s lack of confidence can lead to an athletes feeling <strong>less confident.<\/strong> You want athletes to overcome this by being <strong>mentally tough<\/strong> and ready before a practice or game even starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, check in with your kids on their <strong>expectations. Frustration<\/strong> often ensues when expectations are not being met. Help your athletes examine their expectations about playing time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"As_Alexander_Pope_said\"><\/span>As Alexander Pope said:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do your athletes feel a need to impress a coach? The stress caused by this can lead to <strong>worrying about mistakes<\/strong> and <strong>under performing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We suggest athletes <strong>concentrate<\/strong> on their own game and the enjoyment instead of the coach\u2019s opinion. The goal should not be to impress the coach to get more playing time, but rather improving your skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, your kids should focus on the <strong>NOW!<\/strong> If they are thinking about the past, the future, or what others think of them, they can&#8217;t get into the flow and enjoy sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Performing well requires being in a flow state&#8211;when kids\u2019 attention is completely absorbed by the task at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kids_cant_get_into_the_flow_when_they\"><\/span>Kids can&#8217;t get into the flow when they:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Worry about playing time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Worry about making mistakes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Worry about what coach thinks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Think they will get benched if they mess up<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Think too far ahead of the moment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Kids are naturally good at playing in the moment. You want to encourage your kids to let go of the outcome and how they might be evaluated by others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You also want your athletes to be mentally ready to perform when they do get the chance to play instead of pouting on the bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, <strong>confidence<\/strong> needs to grow from within and not from other people, such as coaches or parents. Help your athletes <strong>focus<\/strong> on what they have instead of what they wish they had!<\/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_Articles_on_Kids_Mental_Game\"><\/span>Related Articles on Kids&#8217; Mental Game:<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\/kids-would-rather-lose-and-get-to-play-the-whole-game\/\"><strong>Kids Would Rather Lose and Get to Play the Whole Game [Podcast]<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/getting-all-the-goodness-out-of-youth-sports\/\"><strong>Getting All the Goodness Out of Youth Sports<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/when-athletes-only-dwell-on-post-game-mistakes\/\"><strong>When Athletes Only Dwell on Post Game Mistakes<\/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 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0ynyaalKxbnNmsoeL8gF5X?si=8224669de9b3435b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a> <\/strong>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\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improve_Your_Mental_Game_From_Anywhere_In_The_World\"><\/span><strong>Improve Your Mental Game From Anywhere In The World<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/mental-training-for-young-athletes.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6868\" style=\"width:138px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re certain that, as a parent,&nbsp;you want to help your child develop confidence and discipline in sports and life.&nbsp;And as a sports parent, you\u2019d love for your children to reach their potential in sports.&nbsp;But encouraging your child to <strong>strive for greatness without pressuring them<\/strong> can be a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can get expert mental coaching with us from anywhere. Meet with us via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime or phone call. With today\u2019s video technology, we are able to connect with athletes and coaches all over the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free 15-Minute Session.<\/strong><br><strong>Find Out How Your Athlete Can Benefit From One-on-One Mental Training<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pregame Mental Preparation For Young Athletes A sports parent asks: &#8220;My son is an excellent baseball player, but his coach will barely play him. My son is very frustrated and has tried to talk to the coach a couple of times about getting more playing time, but the coach has &#8230; <a title=\"Help Sports Kids Be Ready When They Get in the Game\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-sports-kids-be-ready-when-they-get-in-the-game\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Help Sports Kids Be Ready When They Get in the Game\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,6],"tags":[310,301],"class_list":["post-4660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pressure-in-sports","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-focus-in-youth-sports","tag-pressure-in-youth-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4660","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=4660"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4660\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}