High Expectations in Youth Sports
Parents, it’s easy to hurt your sports kids’ confidence before a game by saying or doing things that you think will help your athletes.
You may think that you’re boosting kids’ confidence, but in reality, you might cause them to feel more expectations.
For example, if you say, “Be sure to score three goals,” it can make kids feel more expectations. It’s pressure, and kids who feel pressured often play to not make mistake or not lose.
Parents often like to remind kids about how to perfect their skills before a game…
That’s a bad idea, too. Don’t fill their brains with advice about how to perfect their shot. That’s for practice—not for games. Just before a game, kids need to trust in what they’ve learned.
And don’t compare your kids to other athletes, saying things like, “He may be great on defense, but you’re an awesome dribbler!”
It psyches kids out to focus on others’ abilities or skills.
Want to learn more about how to prepare kids mentally before a game?
Exclusive members of Kids’ Sports Psychology can check out the sixth article in our series, “Parents, Don’t Do This Before a Game” right here:
Kids’ Sports Psychology
At Kids’ Sports Psychology, we’ve got loads of other resources, including articles, e-books, audio interviews, videos—and more!
Related Articles on Youth Sports:
- 5 Pregame Mental Skills For Young Athletes
- The Importance of Athletes’ Pregame Mindset
- Sports Mom No-No’s! Pregame Tips for Sports Parents
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