Sports Kids Too Focused on Social Approval
If your sports kids worry about what their friends, team mates, parents, coaches and friends’ friends think of their performance, they’re not alone.
This is a common challenge for sports kids—and a big confidence buster.
For example, they may worry that their coaches will get upset if they make mistakes.
They may worry that their parents will be disappointed with their performance. Or they may think that their friends will laugh at them if they goof up.
Worry, worry, worry—a big sports game no-no.
Kids who worry like this find it hard to play intuitively—a key to performing well. Rather than just “going for it” and relying on all that they’ve learned, they get uptight. They’re stiff. They don’t take risks. What happens? Exactly the opposite of what they’d like to happen! They don’t perform well.
This can be a vicious cycle:
They worry about what others think, they goof up, they feel embarrassed, they feel even more worried. They don’t take risks, they’re stiff, they play badly…
To stop the cycle, they need to change what they’re focusing on. It’s best if they can focus on what’s happening in the here in now, right in front of them—in the gym or on the field—not on the sidelines! To help them focus, they need to tell themselves to concentrate on the tasks they need to do to get their job done. That may mean getting their bodies in front of the goal if they play defense in soccer, or passing well if they’re point guards.
What’s more, they can take advantage of other confidence-boosting tips. For example, they can create a confidence resume of their strengths, greatest achievements, and compliments. They can read over this resume before a game.
Related Articles on Youth Sports:
- Overcome Pre-Competition Nerves
- How This Sport Builds Confidence and Focus in Kids
- When Young Athletes Doubt Their Skills When Criticized
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Help Your Young Athletes Improve Focus In Sports!
Are your young athletes easily distracted by people shouting on the sidelines? Do they obsess over their mistakes? Do they worry about what people think of them?
These issues will cause their concentration and performance to suffer!The Focused Sports Kid helps kids overcome distractions that can hurt their performance in sports.
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