{"id":7633,"date":"2023-01-12T22:40:07","date_gmt":"2023-01-13T03:40:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=7633"},"modified":"2025-07-08T07:29:46","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T11:29:46","slug":"help-athletes-get-through-slumps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-athletes-get-through-slumps\/","title":{"rendered":"Help Athletes Get Through Slumps"},"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\/01\/help-athletes-get-through-slumps.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/help-athletes-get-through-slumps.jpg\" alt=\"Kids Sports\" class=\"wp-image-7656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/help-athletes-get-through-slumps.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/help-athletes-get-through-slumps-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=\"Every_Athlete_Experiences_Rough_Spots_or_Slumps\"><\/span>Every Athlete Experiences Rough Spots or Slumps<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\/help-athletes-get-through-slumps\/#Every_Athlete_Experiences_Rough_Spots_or_Slumps\" >Every Athlete Experiences Rough Spots or Slumps<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-athletes-get-through-slumps\/#Help_kids_break_out_of_performance_ruts_by_resetting_mentally\" >Help kids break out of performance ruts by resetting mentally.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/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\/help-athletes-get-through-slumps\/#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-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-athletes-get-through-slumps\/#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>Many times, young athletes get in trouble when they focus too much on their most recent disappointing results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This trap is called being mentally \u201c<strong>nearsighted<\/strong>.\u201d They focus too much on their recent bad results or performance slump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They tend to expect to be under-productive into the near future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, a baseball player who struck out three times in her last game may expect to strike out several times in the next game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or a soccer player who played poorly during the first half of a game may also expect to make more mistakes in the second half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s the problem with <strong>negative expectations<\/strong>. If sports kids expect negative results, it will change the way they approach games. They may give up shots that they would typically take.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If kids expect negative results, they may not prepare the same way for the next game. They might play less aggressively. When this happens, they will under perform again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kids might look at <strong>mental resets<\/strong> as similar to resetting their cell phones to improve the performance of their devices. A smartphone can become cluttered with unwanted apps and dangerous malware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Help_kids_break_out_of_performance_ruts_by_resetting_mentally\"><\/span>Help kids break out of performance ruts by resetting mentally.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A reset to smartphones frees up storage space, eliminates potential threats and speeds up &nbsp;processing time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Likewise, when young athletes reset mentally, it can clear their headspace, eliminate destructive thoughts and help speed up their <strong>decision-making<\/strong> in competitions. Resetting is like a mental timeout during which young athletes can refocus and recharge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>New York Jets quarterback and 2021 first-round pick Zach Wilson has struggled with basic throws during the 2022 season. Wilson\u2019s lack of production resulted in the Jets benching him in Week 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Jets\u2019 head coach Robert Saleh said that Wilson needed a slight reset to get his play back on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe biggest thing with Zach is the young man needs a reset. His decision-making has been fine, his practice habits have been fine,\u201d Saleh said. \u201cBut there are some basic, fundamental things that have gotten really out of whack for him.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;And this is just an opportunity for him to sit back, focus on those things, find a way to reconnect to all the different things that we fell in love with during the draft process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Resetting can help kids clear their mind, objectively evaluate their play and readjust their mindset to perform at their peak again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, kids need a hard <strong>reset<\/strong> and should take a few days off. Other times, a soft reset during a competition will be effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kids can reset during a competition during a timeout or between plays. They should take a deep breath, use the cue word \u201c<strong>reset<\/strong>,\u201d and refocus their attention on the present.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They can also look at videos of when they were performing well and imagine themselves performing with the same confidence and focus in their next competition.<\/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\/how-to-help-athletes-break-out-of-losing-streaks\/\"><strong>How to Help Athletes Break Out of Losing Streaks<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/what-can-athletes-learn-from-elite-athletes-mindset\/\"><strong>What Can Athletes Learn from Elite Athletes\u2019 Mindset?\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/how-to-explain-mental-training-to-young-athletes\/\"><strong>How to Explain Mental Training to Young Athletes<\/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=\"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>Every Athlete Experiences Rough Spots or Slumps Many times, young athletes get in trouble when they focus too much on their most recent disappointing results. This trap is called being mentally \u201cnearsighted.\u201d They focus too much on their recent bad results or performance slump. They tend to expect to be &#8230; <a title=\"Help Athletes Get Through Slumps\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-athletes-get-through-slumps\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Help Athletes Get Through Slumps\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7655,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[39,117],"class_list":["post-7633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-kids-sports-psychology","tag-youth-sports-psychology"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7633","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=7633"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7633\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7633"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7633"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7633"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}