{"id":4918,"date":"2018-05-24T20:14:45","date_gmt":"2018-05-24T20:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=4918"},"modified":"2025-08-11T02:31:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T06:31:56","slug":"helping-kids-find-the-all-elusive-zone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-kids-find-the-all-elusive-zone\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping Kids Find the All-Elusive Zone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4922\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/helping-kids-find-the-all-elusive-zone-1.jpg\" alt=\"Helping Sports Kids Boost Their Focus\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/helping-kids-find-the-all-elusive-zone-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/helping-kids-find-the-all-elusive-zone-1-300x150.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=\"Helping_Sports_Kids_Boost_Their_Focus\"><\/span>Helping Sports Kids Boost Their Focus<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-kids-find-the-all-elusive-zone\/#Helping_Sports_Kids_Boost_Their_Focus\" >Helping Sports Kids Boost Their Focus<\/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-kids-find-the-all-elusive-zone\/#Unfortunately_finding_%E2%80%9Cthe_zone%E2%80%9D_is_not_always_the_easiest_thing_to_do\" >Unfortunately, finding &#8220;the zone&#8221; is not always the easiest thing to do.<\/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-kids-find-the-all-elusive-zone\/#Recognize_Regroup_and_Refocus\" >Recognize, Regroup and Refocus.<\/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-kids-find-the-all-elusive-zone\/#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-kids-find-the-all-elusive-zone\/#Help_Your_Young_Athletes_Improve_Focus_In_Sports\" >Help Your Young Athletes Improve Focus In Sports!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>An athlete\u2019s most <strong>focused<\/strong> state is sometimes called &#8220;the zone.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When athletes are in the zone, they are totally involved in the game at hand, completely <strong>concentrated<\/strong> on what they are doing with no care or thought as to what else is going on around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They are not worrying about others or about their opponents. They are <strong>focused<\/strong> on the task at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being in the zone <strong>FEELS<\/strong> like watching a game in slow motion looks. Athletes have intense, complete <strong>focus<\/strong> on what is happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unfortunately_finding_%E2%80%9Cthe_zone%E2%80%9D_is_not_always_the_easiest_thing_to_do\"><\/span>Unfortunately, finding &#8220;the zone&#8221; is not always the easiest thing to do.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most sports kids are unable to keep <strong>focus<\/strong> throughout a game. They let their minds wander to other <strong>distractions,<\/strong> such as the sidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When sports kids are <strong>distracted,<\/strong> they play slower, fail to think on their feet, and lose the rhythm of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, when kids are <strong>distracted,<\/strong> they\u2019re susceptible to getting caught up in harmful, negative thought loops, especially when they make a mistake or wonder about what one of their teammates may be thinking about them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They may start to think about a class that they haven\u2019t done the homework for or a friend who they need to text back and as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of a sudden, the players they are guarding have scored on them or they have forgotten a key element of a play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make sure your sports children do not fall victim to these <strong>distractions,<\/strong> think about the &#8220;cues&#8221; that are relevant in their sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cues<\/strong> are the things that they are responsible for while playing, things that they need to be <strong>focusing<\/strong> on in the moment. For example, if they are basketball players, and their main goals on the team are to rebound, play defense, and run plays well, they should focus on those cues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When they are thinking about things other than those related to their main <strong>cues,<\/strong> they aren\u2019t paying attention to what is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once they can recognize that they are not paying attention, they can <strong>refocus<\/strong> on their own personal cues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You might suggest that they try our three Rs of Refocusing:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recognize_Regroup_and_Refocus\"><\/span>Recognize, Regroup and Refocus.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First, they need to <strong>recognize<\/strong> that they\u2019re off task. They need to practice doing this so that they can be aware of being off-task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, they need to <strong>regroup<\/strong> by interrupting their distractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Third, they need to <strong>refocus<\/strong> on the task at hand\u2014doing what they need to do to get their job done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They should practice doing this as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Encourage your sports children to think hard about their cues and practice keeping themselves <strong>concentrated<\/strong> on the task at hand. Hopefully, with these tips they\u2019ll find that elusive &#8220;zone.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-focused-sports-kid-cd-program\/\"><strong>For more information on how to help your sports children boost their focus, check out our program, The Focused Sports Kid:<\/strong><\/a><\/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_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\/helping-kids-get-out-of-their-comfort-zone\/\"><strong>Helping Kids Get Out of Their Comfort Zone<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-this-sport-builds-confidence-and-focus-in-kids\/\"><strong>How This Sport Builds Confidence and Focus in Kids<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-to-overcome-choking-under-pressure\/\"><strong>Why Kids Choke Under Pressure<\/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_Your_Young_Athletes_Improve_Focus_In_Sports\"><\/span>Help Your Young Athletes Improve Focus In Sports!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/focused-sports-kid-small-7.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/focused-sports-kid-small-7.jpg\" alt=\"the Focused Sports Kid\" class=\"wp-image-11217\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Are your young athletes easily <strong>distracted<\/strong> by people shouting on the sidelines? Do they obsess over their <strong>mistakes<\/strong>? Do they <strong>worry<\/strong> about what people think of them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These issues will cause their concentration and performance to suffer!<a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-focused-sports-kid-cd-program\/\">The Focused Sports Kid<\/a> helps kids overcome distractions that can hurt their performance in sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-focused-sports-kid-cd-program\/\">The Focused Sports Kid<\/a> program is actually two programs: one for sports parents\/coaches that provides mental game tips especially designed for parents and coaches, and for young athletes, ages 8 to 12, that will walk them through 7 simple lessons in mental focus in sports.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-2050113d\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-030447a4 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-focused-sports-kid-cd-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET DETAILS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-af59ca3f gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/products\/the-focused-sports-kid-digital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BUY NOW<\/a>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Helping Sports Kids Boost Their Focus An athlete\u2019s most focused state is sometimes called &#8220;the zone.&#8221; When athletes are in the zone, they are totally involved in the game at hand, completely concentrated on what they are doing with no care or thought as to what else is going on &#8230; <a title=\"Helping Kids Find the All-Elusive Zone\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-kids-find-the-all-elusive-zone\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Helping Kids Find the All-Elusive Zone\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4923,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[209,6],"tags":[561,310],"class_list":["post-4918","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-concentration","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-distractions-in-youth-sports","tag-focus-in-youth-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4918","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=4918"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4918\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}