Perfectionism in Youth Sports

One of the biggest challenges for young athletes today is:

They try to be too perfect with their performance. They try to have the perfect game or match.

Don’t get us wrong… There are some advantages to perfectionism.

Perfectionist kids have a strong work ethic, are committed to goals, and are willing to learn and improve. These great traits often disguise this ‘mental roadblock’ to success.

Kids who try to be too perfect can undermine their performance in many ways.

They often expect too much of themselves, are afraid of failing, feel anxious, are frustrated, and worry too much about results. This can stifle their talent.

For example, a perfectionist athlete unknowingly embraces very high expectations. When he does not achieve his expectations, he feels frustrated and thinks he’s failed.

Below is a recent example from a baseball dad about his son:

“My son is a good athlete who has always had good success. However, he seems to focus on the negative, not the positive. If he is practicing hitting, and doesn’t make good contact, after about three swings I hear ‘I stink.’ Unfortunately, things tend to go down hill from there.”
~Baseball Dad

Perfectionists think that maintaining strict expectations is a good thing. They believe that the only other option is to accept mediocrity, which they are not willing to do.

But we have a different take on this:

If kids cannot reach their expectations, then become frustrated and lose their composure, they won’t achieve their full potential in sports.

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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.

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How Does Perfectionism Hold Back Kids in Sports?