{"id":5240,"date":"2019-05-20T15:52:10","date_gmt":"2019-05-20T15:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=5240"},"modified":"2025-07-10T05:23:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T09:23:14","slug":"challenges-for-ninja-warriors-who-train-all-year-for-one-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/challenges-for-ninja-warriors-who-train-all-year-for-one-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Challenges for Ninja Warriors who Train All Year for One Event"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/challenges-for-ninja-warriors-who-train-all-year-for-one-event-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/challenges-for-ninja-warriors-who-train-all-year-for-one-event-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/challenges-for-ninja-warriors-who-train-all-year-for-one-event-1-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_Young_Athletes_Learn_from_Ninja_Warriors\"><\/span>How can Young Athletes Learn from Ninja Warriors?<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\/challenges-for-ninja-warriors-who-train-all-year-for-one-event\/#How_can_Young_Athletes_Learn_from_Ninja_Warriors\" >How can Young Athletes Learn from Ninja Warriors?<\/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\/challenges-for-ninja-warriors-who-train-all-year-for-one-event\/#The_ninjas_have_great_tips_for_young_athletes_in_all_sports\" >The ninjas have great tips for young athletes in all sports.<\/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\/challenges-for-ninja-warriors-who-train-all-year-for-one-event\/#_Learn_Mental_Game_Lessons_to_Help_Young_Athletes_With_Their_Pregame_Prep\" >&nbsp;Learn Mental Game Lessons to Help Young Athletes With Their Pregame Prep!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Lisa here from Youth Sports Psychology and Kids Sports Psychology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This week, along with my 10-yr-old, I was an audience member for American Ninja Warrior, where I witnessed astonishing feats and plenty of fails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ninjas have specific challenges in sports: It\u2019s an individual sport, so they often train alone. They have to be self-motivated and are often self-taught.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, they get one shot a year to perform and often fail on one of the obstacles after training hard all year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How do they handle these mental-game challenges? To understand, I listened to some interviews with well- known ninjas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One strategy for coping with the solitude of the sport is to train with other ninjas. Some participate in Team Ninja Warrior on teams that compete against other teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, there\u2019s a sense of community among ninjas that helps them build confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Says Tiana Webberley,<em> \u201cIt\u2019s a competition but we\u2019re not trying to knock each other down. We overcome the obstacles as a group.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During Webberley\u2019s first season, she fell on the third obstacle. How did she cope with that fall?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cYou can let it take you down or use it as fuel for fire for the next one. I have to work harder for next time,\u201d<\/em> she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Grant McCartney, the popular \u201cIsland Ninja,\u201d who is  6\u2019 2\u201d and weighs 190 pounds&#8211;taller and heavier than most ninjas&#8211;says that as part of the larger community, he tries to learn from ninjas who are smaller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cIt\u2019s a mental place. I learn from people smaller sized,\u201d<\/em> he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both ninjas focus on being as positive as possible and setting goals for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Says Webberley, <em>\u201cI just want to get past what I haven\u2019t accomplished yet.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_ninjas_have_great_tips_for_young_athletes_in_all_sports\"><\/span>The ninjas have great tips for young athletes in all sports.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be positive and supportive with teammates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be part of a supportive community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don&#8217;t allow one competition to define you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be open to learning from others.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And use falls to push yourself to learn and work even harder.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Help your young athletes feel confident and enjoy youth sports!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Learn_Mental_Game_Lessons_to_Help_Young_Athletes_With_Their_Pregame_Prep\"><\/span>&nbsp;Learn Mental Game Lessons to Help Young Athletes With Their Pregame Prep!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-4305 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pregame-prep-large.jpg\" alt=\"10 Minute Pregame Prep\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\"><\/figure><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Young athletes and their parents and coaches tell us that sports kids often struggle with these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/young-athletes-pregame-mental-prep\/\" data-wplink-edit=\"true\"><strong>pregame mental game challenges<\/strong><\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They fail to <strong>take charge of their confidence<\/strong> before the compete<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They don\u2019t <strong>trust in their skills<\/strong> when they go from practice to competition<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They <strong>hang on to mistakes<\/strong> and dwell in them in competition<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They <strong>worry too much about what others think<\/strong> about their performance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They <strong>feel pressure to excel<\/strong> from expectations they feel from others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They focus too much on the <strong>outcome instead of the process<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They <strong>tighten up and play safe<\/strong> when they feel pressure to succeed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They <strong>interpret pregame jitters as harmful<\/strong> to their performance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/young-athletes-pregame-mental-prep\/\">10 Minute Pregame Prep<\/a>\u201d<\/em> will tell you everything you need to know about ensuring your sports kids avoid classic <strong>mental game pitfalls<\/strong> before a game, learn how to <strong>trust their instincts,<\/strong> and <strong>just go for it<\/strong>. It provides lots of advice for you, too\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With our program, you can stop wondering what to do and <strong>relax<\/strong> before your kids\u2019 games!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/young-athletes-pregame-mental-prep\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"259\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/how-to-keep-your-athletes-expectations-in-check-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4377\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/young-athletes-pregame-mental-prep\/\"><strong>Learn more about &#8220;10-Minute Pregame Prep&#8221;&#8230;.<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/young-athletes-pregame-mental-prep\/\"><strong>Don&#8217;t forget to get your FREE download (located in the middle of the page) of Lesson 1 from the Parent&#8217;s Manual!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sign up for our free report to receive weekly emails and tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/\"><em><strong>&#8220;10 Tips to Improve Confidence And Success in Young Athletes&#8221;<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How can Young Athletes Learn from Ninja Warriors? Lisa here from Youth Sports Psychology and Kids Sports Psychology. This week, along with my 10-yr-old, I was an audience member for American Ninja Warrior, where I witnessed astonishing feats and plenty of fails. Ninjas have specific challenges in sports: It\u2019s an &#8230; <a title=\"Challenges for Ninja Warriors who Train All Year for One Event\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/challenges-for-ninja-warriors-who-train-all-year-for-one-event\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Challenges for Ninja Warriors who Train All Year for One Event\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5243,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,23,7,3,12],"tags":[566],"class_list":["post-5240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kids-in-sports","category-sports-kids","category-sports-psychology-for-kids","category-youth-sports","category-youth-sports-tips","tag-positive-mindset-in-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5240","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=5240"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5240\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}