Applying Sports Confidence to Everyday Life
One of the biggest benefits to helping kids boost their confidence in sports is seeing kids transfer confidence they gain in sports to the rest of their lives.
When kids lack confidence in sports, it holds back their enjoyment and performance. They play in fear of making mistakes and take fewer risks.
Instead, they need the confidence to take risks, feel like they belong, and improve. That’s what will ensure they learn, grow and excel—mentally and physically.
If your kids struggle with doubt or negative thinking, they’re losing valuable confidence.
Says one sports parent, “If (kids) are having these doubts about their performance when playing sports, they are likely to be experiencing doubts in other areas of their life as well. Consider how often they are quietly beating themselves up. The worst part is if there is no intervention, this self criticism continues into their adult life.”
This sports parent is right on. But here’s the good news. You can help your kids overcome negative thinking in sports–and it’s likely to apply to other areas of their lives, as well.
Sports kids who tell themselves, “I just never get it right when I’m passing to my team mate,” are also likely to tell themselves, “I always goof up on my math exams.”
Here are just some of our secrets for helping kids stop beating themselves up mentally with doubt and negative thinking.
First of all, kids need to understand the ways in which they embrace negative thinking. This will require some introspection. You, as parents and coaches, should be able to help them how and when they beat themselves up.
Here are some examples:
- “I always blow it when there are three seconds left in the game.”
- “I always miss my free-throw shots.”
- “I never play well against the huge guy with the orange headband and the big muscles.”
Next, your sports kids need to replace doubt and negative thinking with statements that help them embrace a confident mindset. The idea is to help them learn to change the way they think.
For example, your players’ old doubt might be: “I never swim fast in this pool.” Ask them to replace this with: “I’ve trained hard and I can swim fast in any pool.”
We suggest replacing the kids’ absolute thinking (never) statements that support their confidence in their ability.
Give it a try! But be patient. Your kids will need to practice changing doubts into statements of confidence. And there are not quick fixes–it takes time before they “master” it. Tell them to try this in both practice and games. While they’re at it, they should try it at school and with friends!
Related Articles on Kids’ Mental Game:
- Why It’s So Important for Athletes To Avoid Negative Thinking
- Helping Sports Kids with “What if” Thinking
- Helping Sports Kids Who Call Themselves Negative Names
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Improve Your Mental Game From Anywhere In The World
We’re certain that, as a parent, you want to help your child develop confidence and discipline in sports and life. And as a sports parent, you’d love for your children to reach their potential in sports. But encouraging your child to strive for greatness without pressuring them can be a challenge.
You can get expert mental coaching with us from anywhere. Meet with us via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime or phone call. With today’s video technology, we are able to connect with athletes and coaches all over the globe.
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How do you describe a 10 year old soccer player’s feeling who practices twice a week, but his coach orders to be sited on the bench during the games? Keeping in mind the games are very competitive and the team has to win.
What will be the affect of this type of coaching on the players?
Some players will develop a fear of making mistakes if they are pulled from the game after a mistake. They then play more tentative when they have the chance to play and their performance suffers.