When Young Athletes Have High Expectations
Parents, be mindful of how you might harbor high expectations for your kids…
Understanding the effects of high expectations is one of the most important things you can do to help your sports kids before a game.
Here’s why: Just before a game, parents try to be helpful and boost kids’ confidence, but this can backfire because they express their expectations to kids in ways that cause them to take these expectations on as their own.
Your athletes’ ideas of how they SHOULD perform are already causing too much pressure!
Expectations are unwritten demands your athletes have about their performance. Athletes with high expectations think they should make five three-point shots, or be the top scorer on the team.
Truth is, these high expectations, even though they may sound like good ideas, can hurt kids’ confidence. That’s because it’s easy for athletes to become frustrated or lose confidence if they don’t meet their–or your–expectations.
Here’s an example: A softball player expects to be a perfect pitcher. In fact, in the past, she’s had many good pitching games. But when she makes a few mistakes and fails to be “perfect” in a game, she gets frustrated, loses her composure and starts to give up.
If she didn’t have these high expectations, the pitcher would likely enjoy sports more, keep her cool, and perform better.
We want you to learn more about the importance of keeping expectations in check just before a youth sports game.
Today we’re offering you a sneak peak at our new program, “10-Minute Pregame Prep.”
You can download the first session of the parents’ manual, which is all about keeping your and your athletes’ expectations in check before a game.
In the full program, you and your kids get 8 full pregame lessons–a manual for parents and a 10-minute pregame audio for your athletes.
Related Articles on Kids’ Mental Game:
- Goals vs. Expectations for Kids
- The Pressure of Expectations for Kids
- Why Adults Shouldn’t Heap Superstar Expectations
*Subscribe to The Sports Psychology Podcast on iTunes
*Subscribe to The Sports Psychology Podcast on Spotify
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.
Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free 15-Minute Session.
Find Out How Your Athlete Can Benefit From One-on-One Mental Coaching!