How to Help Kids Learn to Adjust
Even though some young athletes experience great practices and often feel confident during practice, they still question their practice or training.
They do this for reasons both rational and irrational…
They ask themselves if they trained enough this week. They wonder if the quality of their practice was good enough. They ask if they did everything they could do to prepare for competition.
Sports kids who question whether they prepared well enough feel as if everything has to come together in order for them to play well. The stars have to align.
Often perfectionists, these kids feel as if they need to get enough sleep, eat the right food, feel healthy and wear the right clothing.
These young athletes struggle when they transition from practice to competition. They question whether they performed well enough in practice. They doubt their preparation.
They also experience doubt if they didn’t perform well at times during practice. Maybe their shots were off or their batting wasn’t on target during a practice. Doubts begin to creep in.
What’s the solution? Kids need to learn how to adjust. Great performers know that they can’t always be in the zone. They have to adjust to changing conditions–such as weather. The ability to flex benefits them in sports and life.
The key is for kids to use the skills they have that day–even if it’s less-than-perfect equipment, clothing or preparation. They have to do their best even if they didn’t eat well for breakfast, even if their uniform shrunk in the dryer, even if practice was rained out for the week.
Help young athletes remember that confidence is a long-term project based on years and months of practice. It’s not about mistakes kids may have made during their latest practice or last week’s practice.
When kids start to doubt their preparation, be sure to tell them: Go out and get things done with whatever skills you have today.
They also experience doubt if they didn’t perform well at times during practice. Maybe their shots were off or their batting wasn’t on target during a practice.
What’s the solution? Kids need to learn how to adjust. Great performers know that they can’t always be in the zone. They have to adjust to changing conditions–such as weather. The ability to flex benefits them in sports and life.
“Adaptability is being able to adjust to any situation at any given time.”
~John Wooden
“Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
~Michael Mcgriffy MD
“Peak performers see the ability to manage change as a necessity in fulfilling their missions.”
~Charles A. Garfield
Keep in mind that many kids want to “play by the book” and perform what they have learned in practice. This mindset can cause them to doubt going into competition if they can take their learned skills to practice. It can also cause your athletes to play tight and not enjoy sports as well.
Related Articles on Kids’ Mental Game:
- How to Explain Mental Training to Teens
- Helping Young Athletes Embrace Mental Training
- Help Athletes Trust the Training
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