{"id":4928,"date":"2018-06-08T15:02:11","date_gmt":"2018-06-08T15:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=4928"},"modified":"2025-07-10T06:47:58","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T10:47:58","slug":"how-team-culture-boosts-kids-confidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-team-culture-boosts-kids-confidence\/","title":{"rendered":"How Team Culture Boosts Kids&#8217; Confidence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4931\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/how-team-culture-boosts-kids-confidence.jpg\" alt=\"Building Confidence in Young Athletes\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/how-team-culture-boosts-kids-confidence.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/how-team-culture-boosts-kids-confidence-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=\"Strategies_For_Building_Confidence_in_Young_Athletes\"><\/span>Strategies For Building Confidence in Young Athletes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 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\/how-team-culture-boosts-kids-confidence\/#Strategies_For_Building_Confidence_in_Young_Athletes\" >Strategies For Building Confidence in Young Athletes<\/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\/how-team-culture-boosts-kids-confidence\/#First_of_all_parents_should_find_a_coach_who_is_interested_in_their_kids_as_people\" >First of all, parents should find a coach who is interested in their kids as people.<\/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\/how-team-culture-boosts-kids-confidence\/#Second_look_for_a_coach_who_takes_the_pressure_off_kids_especially_those_who_are_enrolled_in_highly_academic_schools\" >Second, look for a coach who takes the pressure off kids, especially those who are enrolled in highly academic schools.<\/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\/how-team-culture-boosts-kids-confidence\/#Third_parents_shouldnt_create_triangles_among_kids_coaches_and_parents_Lawton_says\" >Third, parents shouldn\u2019t create triangles among kids, coaches and parents, Lawton says.<\/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\/how-team-culture-boosts-kids-confidence\/#Fourth_look_for_coaches_who_boost_kids_confidence_by_having_only_a_few_team_rules\" >Fourth, look for coaches who boost kids\u2019 confidence by having only a few team rules.<\/a><\/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\/how-team-culture-boosts-kids-confidence\/#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-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-team-culture-boosts-kids-confidence\/#The_Composed_Sports_Kid\" >The Composed Sports Kid<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s a reason Mark Lawton, longtime coach and teacher, takes his team to the championship level&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He <strong>focuses<\/strong> on building a team culture that boosts kids\u2019 <strong>confidence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we spoke to him recently, he gave us some quick tips for both parents and coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First_of_all_parents_should_find_a_coach_who_is_interested_in_their_kids_as_people\"><\/span>First of all, parents should find a coach who is interested in their kids as people.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;One of the first things I do, first week, is start having individual meetings with each player. I ask the players about their favorite books or movies, and try to get to know them. I write down what I learn in a notebook,&#8221;<\/em> says Lawton, who gives tips at<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCGmVzQxStvrA-9EGJsBzqRg\/playlists\"> www.CoachingTips.guru<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He does this by pulling kids aside during practice or talking to them on the bus on the way to games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;You want them to know that their coach is interested in them as people,&#8221;<\/em> he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This makes them feel more <strong>comfortable,<\/strong> and as a result, more <strong>confident.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Second_look_for_a_coach_who_takes_the_pressure_off_kids_especially_those_who_are_enrolled_in_highly_academic_schools\"><\/span>Second, look for a coach who takes the pressure off kids, especially those who are enrolled in highly academic schools.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lawton gives kids two tickets to miss practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;I give them two tickets, but they have to tell me the day before,&#8221; <\/em>he says.<em> &#8220;The kids love it. They know they have the tickets in their back pockets. This works especially well for academic schools or if kids are doing college visits.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Third_parents_shouldnt_create_triangles_among_kids_coaches_and_parents_Lawton_says\"><\/span>Third, parents shouldn\u2019t create triangles among kids, coaches and parents, Lawton says.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;It works best if there is a direct line to the coach.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But unfortunately, some parents will talk to their kids about their complaints, rather than going directly to the coach. Kids feel more <strong>comfortable\u2014<\/strong> and <strong>confident <\/strong>\u2014if the parent is behind the coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fourth_look_for_coaches_who_boost_kids_confidence_by_having_only_a_few_team_rules\"><\/span>Fourth, look for coaches who boost kids\u2019 confidence by having only a few team rules.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;If you have a lot of rules, it creates a lot of <strong>anxiety<\/strong> in the kids,&#8221;<\/em> says Lawton. <em>&#8220;Kids worry, &#8216;If I\u2019m late for practice, I don\u2019t get to play in the next game.&#8217; I tell kids, &#8216;Be at practice on time and if not, tell me why.'&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the math teacher made them stay after school, Lawton is not going to take it out on the player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;If there are lots of rules you have to enforce and have a judicial system inside kids\u2019 head, kids get nervous.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coaches should keep it simple for the kids to help them feel more <strong>confident.<\/strong><\/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\/building-confidence-in-young-athletes\/\"><strong>Building Confidence in Young Athletes<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-to-help-athletes-cope-with-intense-coaches\/\"><strong>Fragile Confidence in Young Athletes<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-young-athletes-build-connection-and-confidence\/\"><strong>Helping Young Athletes Build Connection and 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-css-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Composed_Sports_Kid\"><\/span>The Composed Sports Kid<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/composed-sports-kid-small-1.jpg\" alt=\"The Composed Sports Kid\" class=\"wp-image-11173\" style=\"width:170px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The Composed Sports Kid&#8221; audio&nbsp;and workbook digital download program for young athletes and their parents or coach helps kids cope with frustration and anger in sports. Help your sports kids learn how to manage expectations and let go of mistakes so they can keep their head in the game.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>The Composed Sports Kid system<\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;is really two programs in one\u2013one program to train parents and coaches how to help their kids practice composure, and one program that teaches young athletes\u2013<em>ages 6 to 13<\/em>\u2013how to improve composure, let go of mistakes quickly, have more self-acceptance,&nbsp;<strong>and thus enjoy sports more<\/strong>!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-26bcd9b3\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-903b6244 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-confident-sports-kid-cd-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET DETAILS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-3275f4fd gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/collections\/confident-sports-kid-series-digital-version\/products\/the-confident-sports-kid-bundle-digital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BUY NOW<\/a>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Strategies For Building Confidence in Young Athletes There\u2019s a reason Mark Lawton, longtime coach and teacher, takes his team to the championship level&#8230; He focuses on building a team culture that boosts kids\u2019 confidence. When we spoke to him recently, he gave us some quick tips for both parents and &#8230; <a title=\"How Team Culture Boosts Kids&#8217; Confidence\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-team-culture-boosts-kids-confidence\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How Team Culture Boosts Kids&#8217; Confidence\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4930,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,17,25,6],"tags":[98,627],"class_list":["post-4928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-confidence-in-young-athletes","category-sports-parenting","category-youth-sports-coach","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-confidence-in-sports-kids","tag-team-culture"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4928","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=4928"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4928\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4930"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}