Explore resources to help children and young adults build lasting sporting confidence and self-belief. Many talented young athletes struggle because they are overly self-critical, engage in negative self-talk, or fail to recognise their abilities. Parents often describe them as “their own worst critic,” “too hard on themselves,” or “they don’t believe in their ability.” Our guides and podcasts show how to replace self-doubt with self-compassion, a can-do attitude, resilience and self-confidence in sport and life.
Why 12–16 Is A Very Important Age for Mental Toughness Lessons From Doug Strycharczyk If you coach children aged 12–16, you’ll know something important: their skills are improving fast, but their minds can be over the place. One week they look confident, brave and creative. The next week they freeze, hide or panic under pressure. …
Conversations with Kids: When School and Sport Collide For parents and guardians where we give you prompts so that you can have more meaningful conversations with your children to help them build key characteristics such as mental toughness, resilience, confidence, creativity, focus and so on. A Questions for Your Kids “When schoolwork, exams, and sport …
Mental Toughness in Youth Sport: Words of Wisdom Every Sport Coach Needs to Hear Coaching teenagers and young athletes has never been more complex. This is the stage where talent begins to separate, expectations increase, selection pressure intensifies, and confidence can fluctuate wildly from week to week. Many young athletes look physically capable but are …
Book Review – Thinking, Fast and Slow By Daniel Kahneman Thinking Fast and Slow in Youth Sport This is a book I’ve recently read and it made me consider how it can apply to youth sport. So I thought I’d share my musings…. Teenagers who are doing well in sport often face a unique and …
Conversations with Kids: A Parents Guide On Communicating With Teenagers For parents and guardians where we give you prompts so that you can have more meaningful conversations with your children to help them build key characteristics such as mental toughness, resilience, confidence, creativity, focus and so on. A Questions for Your Kids What’s one part …
Book Review – How to Talk So Teens Will Listen and Listen So Teens Will Talk By Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlis How to Talk So Teens Will Listen in Sport I’ve put a Sports Psychologist’s slant on this review to assist parents and youth sport coaches. Supporting young athletes aged 12–16 can be one …
Book Review – Motor Preferences for Baseball: A Coach’s Guide to Identifying and Respecting Player Strengths to Enhance Performance and Reduce Injury by David Genest and Matthew Swope Introduction: Why Motor Preferences Matter in Modern UK Sport Throughout the United Kingdom, numerous adolescents and young adults engage in organised competitive sports each week, including academy …
Case Study: Helping a Netball Player When Shooting in Matches So That She Can Overcome Fear and Build Confidence This case study explores the journey of Olivia (pseudonym), a talented 10-year-old trampolinist experiencing fear, hesitation and mental blocks when working on backward moves. An issue common among young trampolinists and gymnasts. Over several weeks, we …
Book Review – How the Body Knows Its Mind by Sian Beilock Introduction: Why This Book Matters for Young Athletes Today For children and young athletes, sport is becoming faster, more competitive, more public, and more emotionally demanding than ever. Whether they’re transitioning into new sports or squads, experiencing professional contracts for the first time, …
Conversations with Kids: Helping Young Athletes with ADHD Build Confidence, Focus & Resilience in Sport For parents and guardians where we give you prompts so that you can have more meaningful conversations with your children to help them build key characteristics such as mental toughness, resilience, confidence, creativity, focus and so on. A Question for …