{"id":5046,"date":"2018-11-08T19:11:54","date_gmt":"2018-11-08T19:11:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=5046"},"modified":"2025-07-10T06:13:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T10:13:21","slug":"young-athletes-who-lack-confidence-and-mental-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/young-athletes-who-lack-confidence-and-mental-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Athletes Who Lack Confidence and Mental Game"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5050\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/athletes-who-lack-confidence-and-mental-game-1.jpg\" alt=\"Young-Athletes-Who-Lack-Confidence-\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/athletes-who-lack-confidence-and-mental-game-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/athletes-who-lack-confidence-and-mental-game-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=\"What_Mental_Game_Challenges_Do_Young_Athlete_Have\"><\/span>What Mental Game Challenges Do Young Athlete Have?<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\/young-athletes-who-lack-confidence-and-mental-game\/#What_Mental_Game_Challenges_Do_Young_Athlete_Have\" >What Mental Game Challenges Do Young Athlete Have?<\/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\/young-athletes-who-lack-confidence-and-mental-game\/#You_want_them_to_be_in_charge_of_their_confidence\" >You want them to be in charge of their confidence.<\/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\/young-athletes-who-lack-confidence-and-mental-game\/#In_this_case_some_athletes_worry_about_outcomes_too_much_such_as_missing_or_losing_the_game\" >In this case, some athletes worry about outcomes too much, such as missing or losing the game.<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/young-athletes-who-lack-confidence-and-mental-game\/#Mental_Game_Test\" >Mental Game Test<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/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\/young-athletes-who-lack-confidence-and-mental-game\/#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-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/young-athletes-who-lack-confidence-and-mental-game\/#The_Composed_Sports_Kid\" >The Composed Sports Kid<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A sports parent wrote in and said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;My 14-year-old is a basketball player and an excellent shooter under most circumstances, but recently he has been missing free throws and shots in the fourth quarter. After the games, he seems dejected and sad, and it isn&#8217;t getting any better. How can I help him boost his confidence?&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As sports parents, you are in a tricky position when it comes to your sports kids\u2019 <strong>confidence&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t want kids to lean on you to boost their <strong>confidence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_want_them_to_be_in_charge_of_their_confidence\"><\/span>You want them to be in charge of their confidence.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not a good idea for you to try to convince them to feel <strong>confident<\/strong> by constantly telling them how great they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They may rely on you too much for their <strong>confidence,<\/strong> which can lead to <strong>fragile confidence<\/strong>&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You want your sports children to take charge of their own <strong>confidence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So how do you help your young athletes<strong> take charge <\/strong>of their confidence?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ask them questions that will help them see the positives in their play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ask them:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>&#8220;What are your strengths in the sport?&#8221;<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>&#8220;How do you help your team?&#8221;<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>&#8220;What have you done well at, even though your shooting isn&#8217;t perfect right now?&#8221;<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea is to develop <strong>SELF-confidence<\/strong> instead of you trying to make them feel <strong>confident. Confidence<\/strong> should be stable and not fragile in this case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, the main issue may not be about a <strong>lack of confidence,<\/strong> but rather <strong>pressure<\/strong> your athletes feel to make the shots at the end of the game&#8211;especially when it&#8217;s a close game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_this_case_some_athletes_worry_about_outcomes_too_much_such_as_missing_or_losing_the_game\"><\/span>In this case, some athletes worry about outcomes too much, such as missing or losing the game.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These athletes <strong>tighten up<\/strong> in big moments because they are worried about failing their teammates or coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So you first have to find out if your athletes are worried about missing or losing the game for the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beware, when athletes under perform, it&#8217;s not always about a lack of <strong>confidence<\/strong> or poor <strong>focus<\/strong>&#8211;other challenges might exist &#8220;under the hood.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can use this one-page test to find out what the real challenges are with your athlete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Download it here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mental_Game_Test\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/media.reports\/Peaksports_Mental_Game_Test.pdf\">Mental Game Test<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Please contact us if you&#8217;d like professional help with your athletes&#8217; <strong>mental game.<\/strong> We do offer one-on-one <strong>mental coaching<\/strong> for athletes ages 12 and older. Or start with one of our programs in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-confident-sports-kid-cd-series\/\">The Confident Sports Kid series<\/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\/sports-parents-do-your-sports-kids-lack-confidence\/\"><strong>Sports Parents: Do Your Sports Kids Lack Confidence?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/teaching-sports-kids-to-go-for-it-when-they-lack-confidence\/\"><strong>Teaching Sports Kids to \u201cGo For It\u201d When They Lack Confidence<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-building-community-boosts-confidence-in-youth-sports\/\"><strong>How Building Community Boosts Confidence in Youth Sports<\/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=\"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>What Mental Game Challenges Do Young Athlete Have? A sports parent wrote in and said: &#8220;My 14-year-old is a basketball player and an excellent shooter under most circumstances, but recently he has been missing free throws and shots in the fourth quarter. After the games, he seems dejected and sad, &#8230; <a title=\"Athletes Who Lack Confidence and Mental Game\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/young-athletes-who-lack-confidence-and-mental-game\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Athletes Who Lack Confidence and Mental Game\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5051,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,17,6],"tags":[309,634],"class_list":["post-5046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-confidence-in-young-athletes","category-sports-parenting","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-confidence-in-youth-sports","tag-mental-game-training-in-youth-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5046","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=5046"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5046\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5051"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}