{"id":9165,"date":"2023-10-04T20:03:23","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T00:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=9165"},"modified":"2025-07-08T05:59:34","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T09:59:34","slug":"playing-through-adversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/playing-through-adversity\/","title":{"rendered":"Playing Through Adversity"},"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\/10\/playing-through-adversity.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/playing-through-adversity.jpg\" alt=\"Playing through Adversity \" class=\"wp-image-9166\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/playing-through-adversity.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/playing-through-adversity-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=\"How_to_Push_Through_Challenges\"><\/span>How to Push Through Challenges <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\/playing-through-adversity\/#How_to_Push_Through_Challenges\" >How to Push Through Challenges<\/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\/playing-through-adversity\/#A_Young_Athletes_Mindset\" >A Young Athletes Mindset<\/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\/playing-through-adversity\/#Athletes_can_challenge_limited_mindsets_by_challenging_their_beliefs_and_asking_themselves\" >Athletes can challenge limited mindsets by challenging their beliefs and asking themselves:<\/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\/playing-through-adversity\/#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-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/playing-through-adversity\/#The_Composed_Sports_Kid\" >The Composed Sports Kid<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Have you ever wondered why some athletes succeed despite challenges and <strong>adversity<\/strong> while other athletes fall apart when encountering similar circumstances?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The difference between these two types of athletes is <strong>mindset<\/strong>. An athlete\u2019s mindset has a profound effect on athletic achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If kids\u2019 mindsets don\u2019t align with their goals, they risk failing to achieve their objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recently, a collegiate junior contacted us and shared his frustration with falling short of his athletic goals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI set some big goals this year. I want to make an NCAA cut, but I feel like quitting every time I have a poor showing in a competition. My coach has told me all season long that I can achieve the cut, but sometimes I have doubts. How can I get over the hump and achieve my goals?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Truth is, sports kids\u2019 ability, skillset and physiology are not the biggest obstacles. The single most crucial factor for athletic achievement is <strong>mindset<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kids\u2019 minds can help them overcome physical challenges and reach their goals\u2013 or prevent them from achieving their athletic potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What exactly is mindset and how can young athletes develop a mindset that leads to success in sports?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Young_Athletes_Mindset\"><\/span>A Young Athletes Mindset<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A child\u2019s <strong>mindset<\/strong> is their overall attitude about their capabilities, capacity and ability to achieve their desired goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their chosen mindset affects everything they do, including how they approach challenges, deal with adversity and train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, many athletes have a limited mindset and think in black-and-white terms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cSince I didn\u2019t achieve a personal best today, I will never achieve a personal best.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cBecause I missed the cut, I will probably fall short of the cut in the next competition.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><br>With a limited mindset, sports kids focus on their mistakes, weaknesses and past failures and conclude they lack what it takes to succeed. Kids with limited mindsets need to change their thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This requires young athletes to tweak how they see themselves, their athletic potential and their ability to overcome <strong>adversity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Athletes_can_challenge_limited_mindsets_by_challenging_their_beliefs_and_asking_themselves\"><\/span>Athletes can challenge limited mindsets by challenging their beliefs and asking themselves:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cIs it true that I cannot achieve something today because I missed the mark yesterday?\u201d&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cHave other athletes succeeded under similar circumstances?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> \u201cIs my potential really limited to what I did yesterday?\u201d&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Once athletes have reality-checked their beliefs, they can start forming a new reality that focuses on growth, progress and process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Masai Russell, a hurdler at the University of Kentucky, has a long list of athletic accomplishments. Russell set the NCAA 100 meter hurdles record with a 12.36 at the 2023 SEC Outdoor Track &amp; Field Championships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, Russell has a bigger goal\u2013the Paris 2024 Olympic Games&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Russell\u2019s attention to her competitive mindset has been transformational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe biggest transition has been this last year, just how much I\u2019ve changed my life and who I am mentally,.\u201d she said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m understanding now that the mindset is very important as an athlete, and when you can take hold of that and capture how important your brain is towards your success, then I feel like there\u2019s nothing that you can\u2019t do. It\u2019s been a transformation I\u2019ve seen in myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All athletes experience challenges and difficulties. It\u2019s inevitable. But a positive mindset can help them overcome obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When kids have a &nbsp;positive <strong>competitive mindset<\/strong>, they have &nbsp;an unwavering belief that they will find a way, develop the skills and improve their technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They will take risks, adjust their game plans, learn from both wins and losses and adapt to adverse circumstances to achieve their athletic goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of asking themselves, \u201cWhy do I always fall short of my goals?\u201d they need to ask themselves, \u201cHow can I achieve my objectives?\u201d<\/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\/how-this-olympian-overcame-adversity-after-almost-losing-both-legs\/\"><strong>How This Olympian Overcame Adversity After Almost Losing Both Legs<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/adversity-in-young-athletes\/\"><strong>Adversity in Young Athletes<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-sports-kids-grow-from-adversity\/\"><strong>Help Sports Kids Grow From Adversity<\/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 <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=\"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:160px\"\/><\/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>How to Push Through Challenges Have you ever wondered why some athletes succeed despite challenges and adversity while other athletes fall apart when encountering similar circumstances? The difference between these two types of athletes is mindset. An athlete\u2019s mindset has a profound effect on athletic achievement. If kids\u2019 mindsets don\u2019t &#8230; <a title=\"Playing Through Adversity\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/playing-through-adversity\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Playing Through Adversity\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9167,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[309,39],"class_list":["post-9165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-confidence-in-youth-sports","tag-kids-sports-psychology","resize-featured-image"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9165","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=9165"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9165\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}