At Kids’ Sports Psychology, we’ve found that kids with high expectations--whether these expectations come from parents or from the kids themselves--are more likely to get angry. If they can’t achieve their own high standards, they get frustrated and angry rather quickly.
To help kids with high
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A Formula for Success
The first place I start with my individual students is introduce my formula for success and eliminated unhealthy expectations. The three tenants include: (1) Identify and eradicate expectations that limit success. (2) Replace expectations with manageable objectives instead of "strict" expectations.
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Sports Kids Who Try to Read Minds
Do your young athletes seek approval from their peers and coaches in order to feel confident about their abilities in sports? This is a common mental game challenge for young athletes! Sports parents must understand that athletes who need others to feel confident often become anxious or fear failing
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Cue Yourself to Focus
The more I work with athletes from a variety of sports, I reach the same conclusion. The most important principle in focus is that ability to focus on the process in the present (here and now.) However, it is not as easy as may be implied. You must define what to focus on - called performance
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Do Your Kids Make Comparisons?
Sports kids today spend too much time making comparisons to their competitors or teammates! They focus on how others are performing, rather than concentrating on their own game. They do this in a number of ways—and none of them are good news for the young athletes.
Making comparisons hurts your
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3 Steps to Refocusing
I teach a simple three-step process to help athletes regain focus when off-task. You will not always play in the zone and focus 100% of the time. There will be times that you have to refocus such as when you start to think about who is watching you perform. Using the three R's help you refocus when
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Kids Who Feel Supported
You should be very careful about how you give your athletes feedback. If you criticize them too much, they’ll avoid making mistakes. That means they’ll start playing tentatively and will avoid taking risks. They’ll play scared. That’s not a good recipe for learning and growing!
What’s more, be
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Confidence is a Mindset
What is self-confidence? Confidence is a belief in the strength of your ability to perform a task. It's a mindset that says, "I can do this." Confidence is not the same as self-esteem. Self-esteem is based on your assessment or appraisal of your person. The opposite of confidence is doubt,
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