Youth Sports Psychology Articles

Do Your Kids Excel In Practice Then Freeze Up During Games?

Youth Sports Psychology

Taking Practice Confidence to Games in Youth Sports Lisa Cohn here to tell you we are seeing more and more perfectionist athletes today. And that’s good news and bad news when it comes to sports. For example, my 6-year-old son loves to practice, but freezes up during games. If asked … Read Sport Psychology Tip

What Do Girls Want To Get Out Of Sports?

Youth Sports Psychology

Girls in Youth Sports Too often, coaches treat female athletes differently than male athletes. Coaches tell females to act more like men. But, truth is, girls and women don’t approach sports in the same way men approach sports, says Joan Steidinger, author of “Sisterhood in Sports: How Female Athletes Collaborate … Read Sport Psychology Tip

How Your Pregame Talk Can Turn Into Pressure For Athletes

Youth Sports Psychology

High Expectations in Youth Sports Parents, it’s easy to hurt your sports kids’ confidence before a game by saying or doing things that you think will help your athletes. You may think that you’re boosting kids’ confidence, but in reality, you might cause them to feel more expectations. For example, … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Teach Kids To Trust In Their Skills Before A Game

Help Young Athletes Compete Under Pressure

Sports Kids And Trusting Their Skills Just before a game, you want your athletes to trust in their skills. If they don’t trust in what they’ve learned, they’re likely to try too hard to perfect their skills during the game or perform tight—and that will hurt their performance and confidence. … Read Sport Psychology Tip

The Dangers of Over-Coaching Your Child Before Games

Youth Sports Psychology

Over-Coaching Young Athletes Many parents we talk to are guilty of this mental game no-no before their athletes enter competition… Over-coaching your young athletes. When you over-coach kids just before a game, you fill their heads with information they really don’t need at that moment. Just before a game, kids … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Don’t Make This Mistake I Made With My Athlete…

How Nutrition Affects Kids Sports' Performance

What Sport Parents Should Avoid Lisa Cohn here from KidsSportsPsychology.com. I admit it. I said and did all the wrong things with my first young athlete, especially before a game. Long before we got in the car, I’d start talking about the last game. I’d talk about how big the … Read Sport Psychology Tip