Young athletes who forget skills, freeze up or make avoidable mistakes and who can't meet their practice performance during competitions are struggling with performance blocks. These blocks can be caused by excessive pressure, anxiety, worry, perfectionism or identity issues and self-judgement, said Albert Bramante, a psychology professor and author of "Rise Above the Script." To help kids overcome these performance blocks, parents can remind them that blocks do not reflect ability. "It's not their fault that this has happened. It's not an indication that you're a subpar athlete or subpar performer; it just means you have a lot of anxiety," he said. Send podcast ideas to LisaEllenCohn1@gmail.com with "podcast idea" in the subject line. Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts Check out our youth sports psychology blog. Visit host Lisa Cohn's writing website.
Andy Whittier knows how to cope with pressure. He transitioned from playing college football to representing the U.S. in the skeleton sport, a solo, head-first sled race down an icy track at speeds of up to 89 mph. At first, it was terrifying, he said. But with constant practice, he started making some "good, fast clean runs" and building confidence. Athletes can build confidence gradually through experience, discipline and stacking small wins over time. Repetition and practice are key, he said. Send episode ideas to LisaEllenCohn1@gmail.com Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about host and writer Lisa Cohn at LisaECohn.com Visit Andy Whittier at AndyWhittier.com
P.J. Glassey, personal trainer, "biohacker" at XGym.com, and author of Cracking Your Calorie Code, has identified 16 brain types that help determine how best to motivate athletes and boost their performance. Developed over a 5-year period, his 20-question brain type test–which combines psychology and fitness– helps people get fit with less reliance on willpower. Once Glassey identifies an athlete's brain type, he provides motivation and fitness "hacks," he said. To send podcast episode ideas, contact Ultimate Sports Parent Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts Visit our youthsportspsychology blog Visit host Lisa Cohn at LisaECohn.com
When sports kids face challenges such as injuries or mistakes, they're more likely to overcome them by being "all in"--committed to working hard and improving in their sport. Chad Dunn, CEO of Move Performance Center and former BMX racer, asks kids facing adversity, "Do you really want to do this?" The right answer, he says, is "Coach, I'm all in." A big challenge for sports kids is comparing themselves to others, especially when they focus too much on what other athletes are posting on social media, he says. His advice: Stop making comparisons. Send podcast episode ideas to The Ultimate Sports Parent Follow our LinkedIn Page Follow us on Apple Podcasts Check out our youth sports psychology blog
Parents are very emotional about their kids' youth sports experience, and they're pouring a lot of money into youth sports. Because of these factors, they may feel that coaches favor other players when their kids aren't getting the playing time they want, said Jen Fry, a TEDx speaker, owner of JenFryTalks and sports geographer, which means means she studies how geographical factors, like terrain, influence which sports are played in specific areas. When are coaches playing favorites? How should coaches address kids' weaknesses? Does it make sense to favor young athletes who are coachable? Should parents talk to coaches about favoritism? Send podcast episode ideas to The Ultimate Sports Parent Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts Visit our blog
Teen athletes experience anxiety when they can't be in the moment, said Kate Kelley-Schneider, a psychotherapist and sports mindset coach at Pure Health Center and Pure Sports Mindset. They are either stuck replaying a mistake over and over or looking to the future and worrying about the score. "They'll check out of the game from a mental perspective. That then shows up physically," she said. Contact us with podcast episode ideas Subscribe and rate this podcast on Apple Podcasts Visit our youth sports psychogy blog
What if young athletes could practice visualization and then receive feedback in real time that improves their performance? Konstantin Sonkin, a neuroscientist and founder of i-Brain Tech, uses neuroscience-based technology to help athletes boost focus and decision-making. Learn more about Dr. Sonkin at i-Brain.Tech Submit podcast ideas here. Subscribe and rate this podcast on Apple Podcasts Visit our youth sports psychology blog Read Lisa Cohn's sports parenting articles
Elite athletes from across the world competed in the 17th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships, and 14-year-old Ysabella won 8 medals in the junior division. Her dad, Rex Cajanding, who was involved in her training, gives tips to sports parents about how to help kids attain success--without burning them out. Submit podcast episode ideas: Contact us Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts Visit our blog
It's a myth that participating in youth sports will build character in youing athletes, say Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, authors of "Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports." The problem: There are too many variables in youth sports to conclude that participating will build character. Referees are inconsistent. Coaches don't all have the same values. To build character, adults and mature young athletes need to identify and act on character-building moments, they say. Submit ideas for podcast episodes: Contact Ultimate Sports Parent Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts
Forty-two percent of children report being bullied by coaches or physical education teachers. Common bullying programs don't work, said Tom Dahlborg, president and CEO of Dahlborg HealthCaring Leadership Group. Bullying can make kids depressed, anxious and even suicidal. Dahlborg is working to implement better anti-bullying programs, including creating a team culture that doesn't tolerate this behavior, establishing peer mentors and ensuring parents and adults are good role models. Send us podcast episode ideas to Ultimate Sports Parent Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Visit our youth sports psychology blog here.
When athletes' identities are wrapped up in sports, they can experience pressure and high expectations. What's more, they might become disappointed if they go to college and are no longer the stars they were on their high school teams, said Zedralyn Butler, author of The Mental State of Sports and a former Division 1 basketball player. They can also be disappointed or depressed if they are injured or can no longer play sports. One suggestion from Butler: Athletes should try to rediscover the parts of their personalities they left behind when they became immersed in sports. Send us podcast ideas: Contact the Ultimate Sports Parent Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts: The Ultimate Sports Parent podcast Check out our blog: Sports Psychology Blog
Sports kids should push past challenges by focusing on incremental steps rather than the bigger end goal, said Dianette Wells, a world-class mountaineer, ultra-endurance athlete and author. For example, to prepare for a hike in Malibu, Calif., she focused on improving her time by a minute each time she hiked. "I just did it in incremental amounts so my mind could accept that and my body could deal with that. You don't necessarily have to look at the goal line, but just the little steps along the way that you can do to improve yourself," she said. Send podcast episode ideas: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/contact-ultimate-sports-parent/ Subscribe on Apple Podccasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-confidence-in-young-athletes/id1602758597 Visit our blog: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/blog
Young athletes realize a number of benefits when they embrace growth mindsets, said Iuri Melo, a youth sports coach, licensed clinical social worker and co-founder of SchoolPulise, which texts youth positive psychology statements to support their mental health. These kids tend to be optimists who try harder, for longer periods of time and when things get difficult, he said. Players with fixed mindsets tend to be negative, quit early and stop trying hard when they face challenges. But it's possible for kids to switch from having "fixed" mindsets to growth mindsets, with a little help, Melo said. Send us podcast ideas to: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/contact-ultimate-sports-parent/ Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-confidence-in-young-athletes/id1602758597 Visit our blog: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/youth_sports_psychology_blog/
Research shows that girls' identities can get too wrapped up in sports, said Marlene Holmes, a mental health advocate, sports social worker and regional director at Netball America. Girls also grapple with low self-confidence and challenges visualizing themselves as being successful and leaders in their community. The Netball American program teaches middle school girls and boys netball as a vehicle for improving their communication and teamwork skills and boosting their self confidence. Send podcast ideas to https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/contact-ultimate-sports-parent/ Subscribe to the Ultimate Sports Parent podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-confidence-in-young-athletes/id1602758597 Visit our blog: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/youth_sports_psychology_blog/
Sabrina Yavil, sports mom to three boys and founder of Gryme, struggled with encouraging her kids to clean up after practices and games. What's more, the boys didn't seem to want to put time into practicing for games. She began asking them to make their beds and put away their dishes in the morning and take showers after practices or games. She asked them to take more responsibility for getting their sports gear together before games. The result, she said: As they became more disciplined and responsible, their confidence grew in and out of sports. Send us podcast guest ideas: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/contact-ultimate-sports-parent/ Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-confidence-in-young-athletes/id1602758597 Visit our blog: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/youth_sports_psychology_blog/
The human brain tends to lean toward negativity. It doesn't understand the difference between protecting us from a snake or lion and protecting us from emotional states, said Debbie O'Connell, president, Live Positive and Golf Positive. She provides three tips to help sports kids overcome negativity, including changing their posture. Contact us with podcast ideas: Email LisaEllenCohn1@gmail.com Subscribe to this podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-confidence-in-young-athletes/id1602758597 Please leave a review! Visit our youth sports psychology blog: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/youth_sports_psychology_blog/
Without grit and discipline, young athletes won't be successful, said Cary Knox, retired head coach and author of "I Believe," which explores the legacies of Illinois Sports Legends. We live in a selfish society, and kids who lack discipline are being selfish because they're not good teammates, he said. He provides examples of grit and discipline on one of his teams. The players struggled for two years, then made a comeback. Send podcast episode ideas to LisaEllenCohn1@gmail.com Subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-confidence-in-young-athletes/id1602758597 Check out our blog: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/youth_sports_psychology_blog/
Adolescent runners are still growing, and it's critical to support their growth with nutrition that supports their brain and bone health, said Michele Pettinger, author of The Young Runners' Guide to Nutrition. She provides nutrition tips for parents of runners, and also touches on how runners struggle with body image challenges. Send us podcast guest ideas: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/contact-ultimate-sports-parent/ Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts and please leave a review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-confidence-in-young-athletes/id1602758597 Visit our kids' sports psychology blog: https://www.kidssportspsychology.com/category/articles/
Young athletes often stop enjoying sports because they're perfectionists, compare themselves to others or "mind read," or make assumptions about what others are thinking, according to Jaclyn Ellis, a mental performance coach at Peak Performance Sports. She explains how she helps sports kids overcome these challenges and begin enjoying sports more. Send podcast ideas to Ultimate Sports Parent Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcast and please leave a rating: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-confidence-in-young-athletes/id1602758597 Visit our youth sports psychology blog: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/youth_sports_psychology_blog/
The emotional, social, physical and academic benefits of youth sports are well documented. But the rising costs of participating are undermining young athletes' access to sports and its benefits. That's the message from Christy Keswick, president and co-founder of the nonprofit Good Sports. She shares the results of a Harris Poll that found 90% of sports parents polled understand the benefits of sports, but 75% are considering withdrawing their kids from sports because of high costs. She explains what's driving up costs and how parents can work to provide less expensive programs in schools and recreational leagues. Send podcast guest ideas: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/contact-ultimate-sports-parent/ Susbscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts: (and please leave a review): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-confidence-in-young-athletes/id1602758597 Visit our youth sports psychology blog: https://www.youthsportspsychology.com/youth_sports_psychology_blog/