Youth Sports Psychology Articles

Bullying Expert Dr. Pickhardt Explains Why Kids Bully

Video of The Week

Why Do Sports Kids Bully? Judging from the many emails and comments we’ve received from sports parents and coaches lately, bullying is an important topic to you. It should be. Bullying is rampant in sports–and kids don’t like to talk about it. Whether you’re sports parents concerned about how your … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Help us Fight Bullying in Sports

Helping Sports Kids with “What if” Thinking

Taking Steps To Prevent Bullying in Sports Kids Bullying is an epidemic in our society today. Bullying is especially rampant in sports. A recent survey of high school students across the U.S. found that 48% of respondents had been subjected to hazing–a form of bullying in which kids are humiliated … Read Sport Psychology Tip

How One Athlete’s Confidence Thrived–With A Little Help

Athletes and Hypnotherapy

Confidence And Kids’ Sports Psychology Jane’s 10-year-old son was a talented golfer who fell apart during competitions. Like many perfectionists, he had high expectations and became easily frustrated if he didn’t meet them. How did this young athlete transform his mental game and performance in short six months, even winning … Read Sport Psychology Tip

When Should Young Athletes Start Mental Training and Why?

Youth Sports Psychology

How to Tell if Your Sports Kid is Ready For Mental Training “Is my 9-year-old too young for mental training?” asks one sports parent. It’s clear, she says, that her son has some mental game blocks. “In practice he is one of the best players on his team, but his … Read Sport Psychology Tip

When Kids Drop Out of Sports Because of Little Playing Time

Young Athelte Mental Toughness

Positive Coaching in Youth Sports At first, Brian Sanders’ son enjoyed sports. He had a coach who gave all the kids equal playing time. The second year, the boy dropped out of sports altogether because the coach gave him—and other players—little playing time. “Kids drop out because of these negative … Read Sport Psychology Tip

Helping Sports Kids Focus on the Present

What Can Athletes Learn from Elite Athletes’ Mindset?

Sports Kids Who Can’t Let Go of Mistakes In the popular book, “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” one of the main characters—a racecar driver—talks about the importance of “having no memory” while competing. “Memory is time folding back on itself. To remember is to disengage from the present,” … Read Sport Psychology Tip