Coaches Who Instill Fun in Youth Sports Lisa here from Kids’ Sports Psychology to tell you about how my 6-year-old’s first soccer practice went- and why I hope your kids have similar experiences. I’m here to report the practice went very well. I’m thrilled with my son’s coaches this year. … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Stop the Comparison Game A sports dad tells us that his talented 8-year-old golfer gets upset when a player with lower abilities beats him. “He then acts poorly and Dad is embarrassed. How do you help him to stay focused and learn that losing is part of sports?” asks the … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Boosting Confidence For a New Season Parents, what’s the best way to prepare your kids for the new season in sports? It’s not about asking your kids to go out and practice every day. It’s not about lecturing your kids about the value of hard work and practice. It’s all … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Is it Hurtful or Beneficial For Kids to Specialize in Sports? These days, kids as young as 7 have begun specializing in one sport. That means that they are practicing the sport year-round to boost their performance- not just for the fun of it. Such early specialization–and specialization in general–has … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Helping Sports Kids Focus Does your young athlete have a difficult time focusing during practices or competition? Not only can your athlete be distracted by outer distractions, such as parents coaching from the sidelines, but also their own internal distractions. We have identified many internal distractions for young athletes. These … Read Sport Psychology Tip
Sports Kids’ Keys to Happiness Nearly 70% of kids drop out of sports by the time they’re 13. That statistic isn’t new, but what is new is research that identifies what would keep them in sports. A new study conducted by George Washington University’s School of Public Health found that … Read Sport Psychology Tip