How to Develop Mental Skills in Youth Athletes

Even on a professional level where athletes have equal skills, it is most often those with the mental fortitude who emerge victorious. Here are tips on optimizing the power of the mind in youth athletes.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sports Equipment
• Sports Videos

1. Relax. Athletes cannot perform their best if they are not relaxed. Every player needs to find a relaxation technique and routine that works best for him or her.

2. Think positively. Practice this skill by approaching training and competition with positive goals. Also, help athletes look at situations in a positive light.

3. Practice concentration and focus. Help children have a clear mind before stepping onto the playing field. Encourage them to leave all other distractions behind.

4. Try visualization. Positive visualization is the ability to imagine a desired outcome, and then make it happen.

5. Learn the game. Encourage athletes to learn everything about their game or sport.

6. Accept discomfort. Learning to push through nonharmful pain and fatigue gives children confidence and enables them to extend their limits.

Tips & Warnings

• Work with your children. Parents can facilitate relaxation by ensuring children are on time and ready to play, and by engaging in casual conversation or other distractions, if necessary.
• Watch professionals. Go to games or view television. Watching the best rubs off.
• Encourage intensity. It's good for young athletes to be passionately involved in their sports.
• Reach for the stars. Encourage athletes to have lofty aspirations.

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