{"id":57,"date":"2008-06-13T00:48:29","date_gmt":"2008-06-13T00:48:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=57"},"modified":"2025-08-08T05:32:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T09:32:48","slug":"how-sports-kids-benefit-from-get-ready-routines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-sports-kids-benefit-from-get-ready-routines\/","title":{"rendered":"How Sports Kids Benefit From &#8220;Get Ready&#8221; Routines"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/athletes-mental-health.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/athletes-mental-health.jpg\" alt=\"How to Care About Athletes\u2019 Mental Health\" class=\"wp-image-9050\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/athletes-mental-health.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/athletes-mental-health-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CGet_Ready%E2%80%9D_Routines\"><\/span>&#8220;Get Ready&#8221; Routines<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\/how-sports-kids-benefit-from-get-ready-routines\/#%E2%80%9CGet_Ready%E2%80%9D_Routines\" >&#8220;Get Ready&#8221; Routines<\/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-sports-kids-benefit-from-get-ready-routines\/#What_happens_when_theyre_distracted\" >What happens when they&#8217;re distracted?<\/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-sports-kids-benefit-from-get-ready-routines\/#So_you_might_ask_what_is_a_%E2%80%9CGet_Ready%E2%80%9D_routine\" >So you might ask, what is a &#8220;Get Ready&#8221; routine?<\/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-sports-kids-benefit-from-get-ready-routines\/#Heres_an_example%E2%80%A6\" >Here&#8217;s an example&#8230;<\/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-sports-kids-benefit-from-get-ready-routines\/#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-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-sports-kids-benefit-from-get-ready-routines\/#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>Some of the biggest mental game challenges for sports kids are distractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When they&#8217;re practicing, playing or performing, kids get distracted when they <strong>worry<\/strong> about what others&#8217; think of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They also get <strong>distracted<\/strong> when a dog runs onto the field. Some kids get distracted when their parents yell from the sidelines and <strong>embarrass<\/strong> them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_when_theyre_distracted\"><\/span>What happens when they&#8217;re distracted?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>They stop <strong>focusing<\/strong> on what&#8217;s important to playing or performing well. They start making mistakes and start losing <strong>confidence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kids who create and use what we call:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&#8220;Get Ready&#8221; Routines<\/strong> are less likely to become distracted and more likely to <strong>stay<\/strong> on task. That means they likely will <strong>perform better<\/strong>, feel more <strong>confident<\/strong> and <strong>have more fun.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"So_you_might_ask_what_is_a_%E2%80%9CGet_Ready%E2%80%9D_routine\"><\/span>So you might ask, what is a &#8220;Get Ready&#8221; routine?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s a series of thoughts and\/or movements that sports kids complete that <strong>help them focus<\/strong> before each shot, toss, throw or other important task. Once kids establish these routines, the routines help kids <strong>concentrate<\/strong> and avoid getting distracted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The routines combine physical action, such as practice swings with thoughts or images. The thoughts or images might include <strong>imagining<\/strong> &#8211; or <strong>visualizing<\/strong> &#8211; a shot. Kids&#8217; routines vary with the sport they are playing and their role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Heres_an_example%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>Here&#8217;s an example&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Baseball players might:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Prepare:<\/strong> Forget about the last play. Take a slow, deep breath and step on the mound. Feel ready to <strong>focus<\/strong> on the next pitch.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Plan:<\/strong> Receive the sign from the catcher and commit to it or change the pitch.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Imagine:<\/strong> See the pitch they want to throw.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Rehearse:<\/strong> Physically <strong>rehearse<\/strong> the feeling of the pitch they want to throw.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Focus: Focus<\/strong> on the <strong>process.<\/strong> Narrow their <strong>focus<\/strong> to a specific target.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Set up<\/strong>: Take a deep breath and get set for the wind up.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Trust:<\/strong> React <strong>freely.<\/strong> They won&#8217;t try too hard to guide the pitch. They&#8217;ll trust their own abilities. <strong>Focus<\/strong> on a cue or a word to help them throw freely:<em> &#8220;Stay behind the ball.&#8221;<\/em><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When young athletes <strong>focus<\/strong> on the tasks and thoughts above, they&#8217;re more likely to <strong>stay grounded in the moment, less likely to worry about the score, and less likely to get distracted<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s good news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have created <strong>two special<\/strong> <strong>focus-boosting e-book &#8220;packages<\/strong>&#8221; to help kids <strong>perform better<\/strong> using <strong>&#8220;Get &nbsp;Ready&#8221; routines<\/strong> and other important <strong>mental skills<\/strong>. Each package of e-books can be <strong>downloaded instantly<\/strong> from our website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have <strong>mental toughness<\/strong> e-books for kids 11 and older and ebooks written specifically for kids 10 and under. You can read more at our website: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth-sports-psychology-products\/\"><strong>Mental Toughness E-books at Youth Sports Psychology<\/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_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\/help-sports-kids-develop-routines-to-improve-their-performance\/\"><strong>Help Sports Kids Develop Routines to Improve Their Performance<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-nutrition-affects-kids-sports-performance\/\"><strong>How Nutrition Affects Kids Sports\u2019 Performance<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-playing-sports-can-help-kids-transition-to-reopening\/\"><strong>How Playing Sports Can Help Kids Transition to Reopening<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-f49818fa-7c7a-4ee3-b5ee-66581aad2c71\">*Subscribe to\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/sports-psychology-podcast-by-peaksports-com\/id152566009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>on 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 Coaching!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Get Ready&#8221; Routines Some of the biggest mental game challenges for sports kids are distractions. When they&#8217;re practicing, playing or performing, kids get distracted when they worry about what others&#8217; think of them. They also get distracted when a dog runs onto the field. Some kids get distracted when their &#8230; <a title=\"How Sports Kids Benefit From &#8220;Get Ready&#8221; Routines\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-sports-kids-benefit-from-get-ready-routines\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How Sports Kids Benefit From &#8220;Get Ready&#8221; Routines\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9051,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,23,7,6],"tags":[388,387,254],"class_list":["post-57","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-confidence-in-young-athletes","category-sports-kids","category-sports-psychology-for-kids","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-improve-confidence-in-kids","tag-mental-toughness-for-young-athletes","tag-sports-psychology-for-kids","resize-featured-image"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57","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=57"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9051"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}