Instilling CONFIDENCE in Your Youth Athlete
I
n Washington, there was a recent study of 300 young athletes regarding youth sports and children’s comments about
grown ups. The survey showed that 84% of the youths in team sports wanted to quit sports. Their responses ranged from “Grown ups yell too much”; and "Pressure me too much”; to “It isn’t any fun any- more.” A sports psychologist at the Uni- versity of Maryland and writer of a similar story noted, “Parents want to take over where they left off. They want to live through the glory of their child because that will elevate their status”. Based on the psychologist's com-
ments, you can see why it is important for parents to recognize that youth sports and the role of an athlete today, is very different than when they were a youth athlete. Most parents love to support and encourage their child athlete. It is therefore impera- tive, that they realize that: • Their child’s personal sport experi- ences, ability levels and outcomes can easily be formed (affirmatively or nega- tively) from their parent’s attitude, belief systems and expectations. • These things can easily determine the quality of their child’s confidence regard- ing their success, their personal sport experiences, and their physical and mental ability levels. • Based on the strength of beliefs, the child’s mind accepts the dominant be- liefs as either neutral, positive or nega- tive. (Outcome is dependent on how the athlete subconsciously perceives their parent’s verbal and physical expressions). • Without solid foundational (internal) beliefs, athletes of all ages can compro-
Natural Triad Magazine
mise their core structure, their profi- ciency in sports and their ability to handle life’s demands. • Even when an athlete has ultimate drive, desire and ability to succeed, they can’t achieve peak success unless they have the appropriate tools or adequate support to allow proper mental focus. The good old days of just hitting the ball and running like the wind are gone. Athleticism, success and mental tough- ness require devising appropriate strate- gies and tools that are created specifi- cally for the athlete’s needs.
It is widely acknowledged by Sport and Mental Performance Coaches and Sport Psychologists that how a child sub- consciously perceives him or herself, di- rectly plays into their: • Attitude and Belief Systems: about winning, losing and success or failure as an athlete and their impression of their worth. This can include, fear of letting others down (teammates, parents and/or
coaches). • Idea of team building: “Team Mental- ity” vs. “Me Mentality” (team first vs. me first). • Sportsmanship and Ethical Behavior: foundational preparation, conflict reso- lution, fair play and behavioral attitude. • Skill Factors: habits, physical abilities, focused attention, motivation level and communication style. • Self image and Internal, Emotional Qualities: self concepts, limiting or en- hanced self confidence and beneficial coping strategies to overcome fear, self doubt, etc.
Because children carry (positive and misguided) belief systems from childhood into adult years, it is vital to develop a solid foundation at the beginning of start- ing their sport. Strategic intervention in- cluding mental skills can help build their success. Numerous coaches recognize that mental conditioning is an equal compan- ion to physical fitness in attaining peak
MAY 2012
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