Sports Psychology for Kids

“Trophy Son” Book Warns of Dangers of Over-Involved Parents

Youth Sports Psychology

Help Sports Kids Feel Motivated, Not Pressured A new book, “Trophy Son,” about tennis prodigy Anton Stratis, is an important warning about the dangers of being over-involved, albeit well-meaning, sports parents. The book details the world of tennis from young Anton’s point of view. “Anton has the tennis dad from … Read Sport Psychology Tip

How to Tap into Your Athletes’ Personal Motives for Sports Participation

Motivating Sports Kids

Motivating Young Athletes Without Pressuring Them In our survey of more than 3,000 sports parents, the top challenge cited by parents of young athletes is this: How can I help my kids get the most of out sports without pressuring them? In the survey, 68.7 percent of respondents named this … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Where Does Sports Kids’ Pressure Come From?

Sports Kids Pressure

Coaches & Friends, Not Parents, Pressure Sports Kids The number of kids playing team sports is dropping quickly… To understand the factors behind this drop off, Yellowbrick Treatment Program surveyed 1,000 Americans about pressure in youth sports, says Matt Zajechowski, senior content strategist for Yellowbrick. Those surveyed were people who … Read Sport Psychology Tip

How Do Parental Expectations Hurt Young Athletes?

When Athletes Worry About Being Judged

 How High Expectations Lead to Pressure in Young Athletes A recent NCAA poll of more than 21,000 current college athletes shed some interesting light on how pressured these athletes feel about making it big. The data, from NCAA’s GOALS Study of the Student-Athlete experience, and just reported in USA Today, … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Sports Parents: Do Your Kids Want Your Approval?

Pressure in Sports Kids

Pressure And Social Approval Often, young athletes worry too much about what teammates, parents, coaches and friends think about how they’re performing on the court, field or course. When they seek others’ approval of their performance and abilities, and then don’t do well, they can feel inadequate. They might pressure … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Coach Communication With Parents And Athletes

Coach Communication

How Coaches Influence Parents And Athletes A coach asks: “How does a coach influence the parents and players to be committed to a process that requires investment in effort, time and money before results are ‘seen’?” Good question… In our fast-paced lives, kids and parents often expect results right away … Read Sport Psychology Tip