How to Focus Mentally in Youth Sports

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(3 Ratings)

"Athletic ability is 90 percent physical and 10 percent mental - but watch out for that 10 percent," says Keith Henschen, director of the Applied Sports Psychology program at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Athletic Equipment

Step 1

Relax. Athletes cannot perform their best if they are not relaxed. Each player needs to find a relaxation technique and routine that works best for him or her.
Step 2

Think positively. Practice this skill by approaching training and competition with positive goals. Help athletes look at situations in a positive light.
Step 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.
Step 4

Try visualization. Positive visualization is the ability to imagine a desired outcome, and then make it happen.
Step 5

Learn the game. Encourage athletes to learn everything about their game or sport.
Step 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 them in casual conversation or other distractions, if necessary.
Watch professionals. Go to games or view them on television. Watching the best rubs off.
Encourage intensity. It's good for young athletes to be passionately involved in their sport.
Reach for the stars. Encourage athletes to have lofty aspirations.

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