How To Navigate Youth Sports So That Children Enjoy The Experience More

EP 168 Episode Cover Andrew Simpson

Parental Support: How To Navigate Youth Sports So That Children Enjoy The Experience More

Andrew Simpson

Andrew Simpson is on a quest to help transform the youth sports industry by equipping student-athletes, parents, and coaches with tools for developing the right mindset. He integrates these mindset hacks into the hands-on coaching and training that happens in his two Maryland-based gyms.

With a passion to help student-athletes harness the power of their mindset so they can master the thought game and manage their emotions in life and sports–he has helpful insights and relatable success stories that benefit listeners of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast.

In addition to the insights he shares, Andrew has just released his second book, ATHLETE! I’m Talking To You! 7 Mindset Hacks to Dominate in Sports and Life, which addresses athletes directly by offering real-life stories and action steps that have helped high school and college athletes alike. His first book, The Youth Truth: Coaching and Parenting in Today’s Crazy Youth Sports World, speaks to coaches and parents.

Today’s guest, trainer, coach and author Andrew Simpson and I chat about the youth sport experience today for kids, parents and coaches.  We discuss pressures on kids, coaching and parental pressures and stressors.  We also look at parents who also coach and the difficulties involved in that role, in particular.  Common mindset traps kids fall into are also part of the conversation including the perfectionist kid who has high and unrealistic expectations of themselves and others, social comparisons and kids who carry their sporting identity so that it impacts their self-esteem.  Parents, and coaches in youth sport and teachers may find this episode helpful.

Key Learning Points

  • Two big pressures that a lot of kids put on themselves in sports include trying to please others (coach and parents) through their performances.
  • Between 9 and 11 years old children go from focusing on the task at hand to being more aware of others and their thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
  • It is easy as a coach to lose sight of why you coach.
  • Showing kindness and compassion as a coach and parent is a helpful way to help children regulate their emotions.
  • For parents who also coach their children setting boundaries of when you’re a coach and a parent is vital.
  • Children can find it difficult to regulate their emotions in sport due to performance demands.
  • Parents can consider themselves as role models whilst standing on the sidelines.  If they get animated their children may follow suit.
  • Bribery when parenting is unhelpful in trying to promote intrinsic motivation.
  • Sports are what you do and are not who you are.

Connect with Andrew Simpson

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Relevant Podcast Episodes

Ep154: David Charlton – How Do I Go About Controlling The Controllables To Help My Sport Performance?

Ep145: David Charlton – How Can I Help My Children Who Suffer With Nerves Before They Compete?

Ep141: David Charlton – How to Help a Child Who Wants to Quit Sport

Ep122: Camilla Knight – Helping Your Children Get The Most From Their Sporting Experiences

Ep082: David Charlton – Supporting Children in Sport with Positive Feedback

Relevant Blogs

Blog: Helping a Critical Child When You’re a Parent

Blog: How to Help Children Overcome Fear of Failure

Blog: How to Support an Angry Young Athlete

Blog: How to Help Kids Overcome Performance Anxiety

Blog: 9 Tips for Children from Olympians

Relevant Resources

Sports Psychology Resources for Youth Sport (Blogs, Podcasts, Video’s)

Sport Psychology for Children and Parents

Child and Youth Motivation for Sport Quiz

Parent Motivation for Sport Quiz

IF YOU ENJOYED TODAY'S SHOW PLEASE SHARE

SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN ON YOUR FAVOURITE AUDIO PLATFORM

Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they’re extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and we read every single one of them!

David Charlton

Best Wishes 

David Charlton

Global Sports Psychologist who is located near Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK and willing to travel Internationally.  David also uses online video conferencing software (Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp) on a regular basis and has clients who he has supported in USA, Canada, South America, UAE, Australian and New Zealand.  

Managing Director – Inspiring Sporting Excellence and Founder of The Sports Psychology Hub.  With over 10 years experience supporting athletes, coaches, parents and teams to achieve their goals, quickly. 

T: +44 7734 697769

E: [email protected]

Search Our Sports Psychology Website

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Join Our Online Community Now!

Mental Edge Newsletter

Are you an athlete, coach or parent that would like to learn how to create sustainable high performance? Receive our free regular newsletter, where we share proven mental toughness and high performance tips and strategies. If you want some support and motivation straight to your inbox, then sign up below.

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    Helping Your Children Get The Most From Their Sporting Experiences

    EP 122 Episode Cover Camilla Knight

    Parental Support: Helping your Children get the Most from their Sporting Experiences

    Camilla Knight

    Camilla Knight is an associate professor in sports psychology at Swansea University in Wales, United Kingdom, and she is an expert in youth sport. One of her key research interests is in understanding the role that parents play in the lives of their young athletes.

    Camilla completed her BSc and MSc at Loughborough University, and her PhD at the University of Alberta in Canada. She is also the lead of the Welsh Research Advisory and Evaluation group for the Child Protection in Sport Unit, a member of the Welsh Safeguarding in Sport Strategy group, and the Youth Sport lead for the Welsh Institute of Performance Science.

    Today’s guest, Camilla Knight is an associate professor in sports psychology at Swansea University in Wales, United Kingdom, and she is an expert in youth sport.  One of her key research interests is in understanding the role that parents play in the lives of their young athletes.  In episode 122 of Demystifying Mental Toughness we discuss the role of parents in sport, the challenges and stressors that they experience.  We also chat about the parent/coach relationship with their children and give you some ideas on how to improve your communication with your children.  Coaches and teachers may also find this episode helpful.

    Key Learning Points 

    • By understanding the youth sport experience more we can support young people involved in sport better so that they enjoy it more and have a better chance of achieving their potential.
    • It’s easy to separate enjoyment and competing however many children enjoying sport because of the competitive element and want to strive to improve. 
    • It’s important for parents to recognise why their children take part in sport and reminder themselves from time to time.
    • As a parent you invest a lot of time, a lot of money and a lot of emotion, it can be a stressful experience for many parents.
    • In terms of mental health in children, it’s helpful to notice if your child’s typical behaviours go on to change.  
    • Having open and honest conversations with children is very helpful.
    • Knowing as a parent when you are out of sync and what stresses you out and how it shapes your communication with your children is beneficial.
    • The parent child relationship is a bi-directional relationship.
    • If you’re a parent and coach your children setting some boundaries is helpful for journeys.

    Connect with Professor Camilla Knight

    Email 

    Website

    Connect with David Charlton

    Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST

    Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub

    Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

    Relevant Resources

    Sports Psychology Resources for Youth Sport (Blogs, Podcasts, Video’s)

    Sport Psychology for Children and Parents 

    Child and Youth Motivation for Sport Quiz

    Parent Motivation for Sport Quiz

    IF YOU ENJOYED TODAY'S SHOW PLEASE SHARE

    SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN ON YOUR FAVOURITE AUDIO PLATFORM

    Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they’re extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and we read every single one of them!

    David Charlton

    Best Wishes 

    David Charlton

    Global Sports Psychologist who is located near Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK and willing to travel Internationally.  David also uses online video conferencing software (Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp) on a regular basis and has clients who he has supported in USA, Canada, South America, UAE, Australian and New Zealand.  

    Managing Director – Inspiring Sporting Excellence and Founder of The Sports Psychology Hub.  With over 10 years experience supporting athletes, coaches, parents and teams to achieve their goals, quickly.  

    T: +44 7734 697769

    E: [email protected]

    Search Our Sports Psychology Website

    Popular Categories

    Join Our Online Community Now!

    Mental Edge Newsletter

    Are you an athlete, coach or parent that would like to learn how to create sustainable high performance? Receive our free regular newsletter, where we share proven mental toughness and high performance tips and strategies. If you want some support and motivation straight to your inbox, then sign up below.

      We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

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