{"id":953,"date":"2011-01-19T16:33:21","date_gmt":"2011-01-19T16:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=953"},"modified":"2025-08-07T04:57:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T08:57:19","slug":"boosting-confidence-in-the-face-of-little-playing-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/boosting-confidence-in-the-face-of-little-playing-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Boosting Confidence in the Face of Little Playing Time"},"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\/2011\/01\/boosting-confidence-in-the-face-of-little-playing-time.jpg\" alt=\"Youth Sports Psychology\" class=\"wp-image-3814\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/boosting-confidence-in-the-face-of-little-playing-time.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/boosting-confidence-in-the-face-of-little-playing-time-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=\"Playing_Time_And_Its_Influence_on_Sports_Kids\"><\/span>Playing Time And It&#8217;s Influence on Sports Kids<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\/boosting-confidence-in-the-face-of-little-playing-time\/#Playing_Time_And_Its_Influence_on_Sports_Kids\" >Playing Time And It&#8217;s Influence on Sports Kids<\/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\/boosting-confidence-in-the-face-of-little-playing-time\/#Make_Use_of_the_Time_you_do_Play\" >Make Use of the Time you do Play<\/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\/boosting-confidence-in-the-face-of-little-playing-time\/#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\/boosting-confidence-in-the-face-of-little-playing-time\/#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>What do you do when your sports kids suddenly get less playing time? Or if they never got much to begin with?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If it hurts their <strong>confidence<\/strong>\u2014and often it will&#8211;you can take concrete steps to boost your kids\u2019 <strong>mental game.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;Three of the last four years our son has been on an AAU team where he was one of the best players and played 95% of the game,&#8221; <\/em>writes one parent.<em> &#8220;This year he has made a team that is extremely good and he is not one of the best players and is getting very little playing time.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, the sports dad says, the boy is not playing very <strong>aggressively<\/strong> or up to his potential. Clearly, this change in playing time undermines this boy\u2019s<strong> confidence<\/strong>&#8230;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s likely that he\u2019s playing scared. He\u2019s <strong>afraid<\/strong> to make mistakes when he does play, which means he plays tentatively, rather than taking risks and believing in his abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, playing <strong>tentatively<\/strong> doesn\u2019t improve a young athlete\u2019s game\u2014either physically or <strong>mentally<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, the boy is likely psyching himself out by comparing himself to the high-level players on his team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_Use_of_the_Time_you_do_Play\"><\/span>Make Use of the Time you do Play<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When kids start to falter due to little playing time, it\u2019s critical for them to change how they approach the game. They need to be prepared when they do get a chance to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To be better prepared, they need to work hard in practice and not be discouraged. They can also try <strong>pre-game routines<\/strong> to help them warm up their mental&#8211;as well as physical&#8211;skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, when <strong>confidence<\/strong> takes a hit from less playing time, they need to draw on their successes and abilities. This boy, for example, was one of the strongest players on his last team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rather than comparing himself to his team mates, he needs to think about what it was like to be one of the best players. When he starts to feel his <strong>confidence<\/strong> sink, he should recall <strong>positive moments<\/strong> or feelings related to his old team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, you as sports parents can have a chat with the coach. Ask what your sports kids need to do to improve their skills. What specifically do they need to work on? It\u2019s possible that it\u2019s not clear to your kids that the coach expects more in certain areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to learn more about how to boost kids\u2019 <strong>confidence<\/strong> in the face of such challenges? Here at Kids\u2019 Sports Psychology, here are just a few of the resources we offer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Audio interview, &#8220;How Lack of Playing Time Affects Confidence in Young Athletes.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Appreciate Your Talents: How to Avoid Making Comparisons,&#8221; an eBook written for young athletes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Article: &#8220;Is Winning More Important than Equal Playing Time?&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Exclusive members of Kids\u2019 Sports Psychology have access to these and many other audios, articles, videos and e-books.<\/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\/when-kids-drop-out-of-sports-because-of-little-playing-time\/\"><strong>When Kids Drop Out of Sports Because of Little Playing Time<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/addressing-anxiety-mistakes-and-low-confidence-in-youth-sports\/\"><\/a><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\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/when-sports-kids-dont-get-enough-playing-time\/\"><strong>When Sports Kids Don\u2019t Get Enough Playing Time<\/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>Playing Time And It&#8217;s Influence on Sports Kids What do you do when your sports kids suddenly get less playing time? Or if they never got much to begin with? If it hurts their confidence\u2014and often it will&#8211;you can take concrete steps to boost your kids\u2019 mental game. &#8220;Three of &#8230; <a title=\"Boosting Confidence in the Face of Little Playing Time\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/boosting-confidence-in-the-face-of-little-playing-time\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Boosting Confidence in the Face of Little Playing Time\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3806,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,17,25,6],"tags":[64,39,118,172,251],"class_list":["post-953","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kids-in-sports","category-sports-parenting","category-youth-sports-coach","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-confidence","tag-kids-sports-psychology","tag-mental-game","tag-sport-psychology","tag-youth-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/953","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=953"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/953\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=953"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=953"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=953"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}