Tips for Mental Performance Coaches Article Summary: Playing time issues challenge athletes at an identity level, not just an emotional one. Helping athletes who sit the bench requires addressing identity, confidence, and emotional control, not just motivation. When minutes disappear, many athletes feel replaceable and rejected. As a mental performance coach, your job is to help athletes separate self-worth from …
A Guide for Mental Performance Coaches Article Summary: Over controlling or snowplow sports parents raise pressure and reduce enjoyment for young athletes. You see the effects in fear of mistakes, tension, and sideline dependence. As a mental performance coach, you must manage parents with clear roles, communication rules, and boundaries. When you do, athletes play freer and develop stronger mental …
What is the Cause of Fear of Failure? Summary: Fear of failure causes many athletes to underperform in competition despite strong practice performances. Fear creates anxiety, tension, and overthinking, leading to mistakes and playing too cautiously. Common fears include embarrassment, disappointing parents or coaches, or losing respect from teammates. To help athletes, coaches should guide them to identify the root …
Mental Health in Youth Sports: Helping Kids Embrace Sports Psychology Mental health for young athletes is more critical than ever. Young athletes face intense pressure to perform, fear of failure, and stress from competition. These challenges can erode confidence, increase anxiety, and even push kids to quit sports. As a mental coach or sports coach, you have a unique opportunity …
Athletes Who Train When They Compete Often in our work, athletes get stuck in a training or practice mindset, which means they don’t stop “working” during competition. They train when competing… Why is this a problem when athletes train during competition? The purpose of training is to develop confidence in skills and repetition provides confidence. Competition is a time to …
Learn a Proven System for Mental Game Coaching Do you want a career in mental skills coaching with athletes? In this Careers in Sports Psychology video, Dr. Cohn explains his path to a career in sports mental coaching with athletes. He explains his background as an athlete, coach, and later mental coach. He studied with Dr. Ken Ravizza and Dr. …