Confidence Challenges For Sports Kids
The fall season is underway, so you likely are beginning to get a feel for how confident your athletes are feeling in their sport.
If you’re uncertain about whether they’re feeling confident, here are a few things to think about. If you can identify what busts kids’ confidence in sports, you’re on your way to boosting their confidence and performance.
Do your kids excel in practice, but under-perform during games?
You may have perfectionists on your hand. Be sure to give them permission to be human, which means it’s okay to make mistakes. Try to lower their expectations. Encourage them to focus on what’s happening right now—not on the score or win.
Do your kids freeze up when you say something loud from the sidelines?
You may have kids who worry about what others think. Help your athletes focus on what’s most important—the tasks they need to execute to play well right now.
While you’re at it, try to avoid yelling from the sidelines. It distracts most kids during practice and competition.
Do your kids criticize themselves for making mistakes so much that they freeze up?
That’s what we call fear of failure. Give them a few “Get out of jail” cards that allow them to goof up.
If you’d like lots more advice for identifying what sinks your kids’ confidence—and how to deal with these confidence-busters, check out our program designed to boost kids’ confidence in sports.
Check Out Our Video of The Week: What is Mental Toughness for Athletes?
Related Articles on Youth Sports:
- Addressing Anxiety, Mistakes and Low Confidence in Youth Sports
- Boosting Athletes’ Confidence with Life Skills Lessons
- Building Sports Kids’ Confidence by Creating Community
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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!