{"id":9142,"date":"2023-08-17T12:18:21","date_gmt":"2023-08-17T16:18:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=9142"},"modified":"2025-07-08T06:11:58","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T10:11:58","slug":"helping-sports-kids-with-what-if-thinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-sports-kids-with-what-if-thinking\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping Sports Kids with \u201cWhat if\u201d Thinking\u00a0"},"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\/08\/what-if-thinking.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/what-if-thinking.png\" alt=\"Helping Sports Kids with \u201cWhat if\u201d Thinking\" class=\"wp-image-9143\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/what-if-thinking.png 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/what-if-thinking-300x150.png 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=\"How_to_Deal_With_Distractions\"><\/span>How to Deal With Distractions <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\/helping-sports-kids-with-what-if-thinking\/#How_to_Deal_With_Distractions\" >How to Deal With Distractions<\/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\/helping-sports-kids-with-what-if-thinking\/#Not_Getting_Distracted\" >Not Getting 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\/helping-sports-kids-with-what-if-thinking\/#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\/helping-sports-kids-with-what-if-thinking\/#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>Sports kids struggle with a number of distractions. They include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Noisy spectators<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nagging injuries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Opponents who lob criticism at opposing team members<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Poor playing conditions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Negative media attention<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><br>These examples are <strong>external distractions<\/strong>. While external distractions are bothersome, they are not the most formidable challenge for athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Internal distractions are much more destructive and difficult to manage, particularly the \u201c<strong>what if\u201d tr<\/strong>ap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018<strong>What ifs<\/strong>\u2019 are negative hypothetical situations that preoccupy athletes\u2019 minds before, during and after a competition, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What if I fail?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What if I let down my coach, teammates or family?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What if I get injured again?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What if I make a few mistakes and get benched?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What if I miss the shot that would tie the game?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What if I fall during my routine?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What if I choke in the final minutes of the competition?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The problem: \u201c<strong>What ifs<\/strong>\u201d or hypothetical scenarios are future-based. What ifs are fears and worries about potential outcomes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the present moment is free from fear. The present moment establishes what needs to be done \u201c<strong>now<\/strong>\u201d and the best way to accomplish those tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Focusing on the present is the optimal mindset that fosters success and peak performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Young athletes can attain a present-moment focus by switching out \u201c<strong>what if<\/strong>\u201d thoughts with \u201c<strong>what now<\/strong>\u201d thoughts. \u201c<strong>What now<\/strong>\u201d thoughts provide clear instructions or directions for achieving kids\u2019 objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Not_Getting_Distracted\"><\/span>Not Getting Distracted<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, a baseball relief pitcher who is trying to close a game with a one-run lead and the bases loaded might experience many internal distractions such as, \u201cWhat if I blow the save?\u201d \u201cWhat if I am demoted because I can\u2019t throw strikes?\u201d or \u201cWhat if I let my team down again?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each of the previous thoughts is destructive and counterproductive. Kids can switch their thought process to instructive thoughts by asking, \u201c<strong>What now?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This question helps clarify kids\u2019 focus for the present moment. For instance, \u201cTake a deep breath. Look for the signal from the catcher,\u201d or \u201cOkay, fastball, low, and away. Check the runners. Throw at the target.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Asking \u201cwhat now?\u201d helps athletes quickly process a situation, decisively choose a course of action, then follow through. This simple method keeps kids mentally engaged in the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston was the WNBA No. 1 overall pick in 2023. When playing, Boston has a \u201cWhat Now\u201d mentality and directs her attention only to the factors contributing to peak performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGreatness is just being true to who you are but also working hard to accomplish the goals,\u201d she said. \u201cEvery time I step on the court, I expect to be dominant. I go out there every game, and<strong> I\u2019m just going to be who I am.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hypothetical thinking traps young athletes in an endless loop of negative thinking. When kids shed this over thinking, they free their minds to focus on what to do and how to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Help sports kids get in the habit of asking, \u201c<strong>What now?<\/strong>\u201d When they begin to fear what might happen, they can refocus on the moment by shifting their thoughts from \u201cwhat if?\u201d to \u201cwhat now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sports kids should always focus on what they want to do\u2013make the shot\u2013instead of thinking about what not to do (don\u2019t miss or what if I miss?).<\/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-participating-in-sports-gives-kids-an-edge-in-life\/\"><strong>How Participating in Sports Gives Kids an Edge in Life<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/boosting-athletes-confidence-with-life-skills-lessons\/\"><strong>Boosting Athletes\u2019 Confidence with Life Skills Lessons<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/why-its-important-for-balance-in-athletes-life\/\"><strong>Why it\u2019s Important for Balance in Athletes\u2019 Life<\/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=\"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>How to Deal With Distractions Sports kids struggle with a number of distractions. They include: These examples are external distractions. While external distractions are bothersome, they are not the most formidable challenge for athletes. Internal distractions are much more destructive and difficult to manage, particularly the \u201cwhat if\u201d trap. \u2018What &#8230; <a title=\"Helping Sports Kids with \u201cWhat if\u201d Thinking\u00a0\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-sports-kids-with-what-if-thinking\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Helping Sports Kids with \u201cWhat if\u201d Thinking\u00a0\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9144,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[309,310,301],"class_list":["post-9142","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-confidence-in-youth-sports","tag-focus-in-youth-sports","tag-pressure-in-youth-sports","resize-featured-image"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9142","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=9142"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9142\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9144"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}