Superstitions in Youth Sports
Do your sports kids harbor silly beliefs about what makes them better athletes?
For example, do they insist on wearing a red-striped headband and on eating chocolate power bars before games?
This is common in young athletes, and can actually hurt their confidence and performance.
Why?
First of all, if they can’t find their headband or power bars before a game, they think they’re not going to perform well.
Second, they need to understand that confidence comes from within-and that they have control of it.
To help sports kids who hang onto goofy beliefs or superstitions, begin by helping them identify these beliefs. Explain why such ideas may not improve their performance or mental game.
Next, ask your young athletes to replace such ideas with more positive ones that actually build their confidence. The idea is to help them change the way they think so they can feel more confident.
For example, if your players tell themselves, “I only win if I wear my red-striped headband,” suggest that they think instead, “I’m a great offensive player and communicate well with my teammates. I don’t need such superstitions.”
You could also suggest that your sports kids create a confidence resume. This includes all their positive qualities and also their achievements in sports. They can review their confidence resume before games to help give them a boost.
Related Articles on Kids’ Mental Game:
- How Superstitions Can Hurt Athletes’ Confidence
- When Kids Have Goofy Beliefs And Superstitions That Hurt Their Confidence
- Helping Young Athletes Overcome Unhealthy Beliefs About Their Performance
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The Composed Sports Kid
“The Composed Sports Kid” audio and workbook digital download program for young athletes and their parents or coach helps kids cope with frustration and anger in sports. Help your sports kids learn how to manage expectations and let go of mistakes so they can keep their head in the game.
The Composed Sports Kid system is really two programs in one–one program to train parents and coaches how to help their kids practice composure, and one program that teaches young athletes–ages 6 to 13–how to improve composure, let go of mistakes quickly, have more self-acceptance, and thus enjoy sports more!