Building Confidence In Young Athletes1

In Part 2 of this series created specifically for young athletes, mental game expert Dr. Patrick Cohn explains how and why high expectations hurt sports kids' confidence. Learn more at www.YouthSportsPsychology.com

In the first of a series of podcasts in which mental game expert Dr. Patrick Cohn speaks directly to young athletes about mental game issues, he tells kids how to think about warm ups. They're not meant to be a competition to win.

Kirk Mango is a former Division I National Champion, 3-Time All-American, 3-Time Hall of Fame Athlete, and was selected in 2009 as #8 on Northern Illinois University's Top 50 Huskies of All-Time list. In high school, however, his coach told him he wouldn't make it. Mango, who says he was a mediocre gymnast at the time, set his sights on become a state champion--in 10 months. What choices did Mango make, what mental mindset did he embrace to make it to the top--and even publish a book, "Becoming a True Champion?"

Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews Joan Steidinger, author of "Sisterhood in Sports: How Female Athletes Collaborate and Compete," about why girls take part in sports, what they want to get out of it, and how parents can support them.

Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews Cris Dobrosielski, an author, motivational speaker, fitness expert and longtime youth sports coach about a new George Washington University study that identifies the four keys to keeping kids in youth sports.

How can sports kids overcome challenges like perfectionism? How can they think in ways that help them feel like they're breaking through barriers to confidence and performance?Gene Jones, a former athlete, sports coach, and former sports commentator explains how breakthrough thinking can help young athletes.

Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews Dr. Christopher Stankovich, Ph.D., a professional athletic counselor, about how more and more kids are prescribed medications for mental health issues and how the medications affects kids' mental game. Stankovich, who believes the medications are over-prescribed, says that, among other things, the meds hurt undermine kids' creativity and spontaneity--essential traits in youth sports and life.

Kids with anxiety often experience higher levels of anxiety in high-pressure sports situations.Dr. Jeremy Pettit, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology in the Center for Children and Families at Florida International University, gives tips for helping these kids.

How can sports kids who've just joined a team prove to the coach and team mates that they can make an impact? In this interview, Audrey, mother of Bjorn, explains how her son joined a AAA team and lost confidence when the coach didn't play him enough and the kids didn't pass to him. But all that changed.

How do you shift the expectations of sports kids, especially in urban areas, who don't expect much from themselves? In this fascinating interview with Ultimate Sports Parent Radio, Eric DeMeulenaere, a Clark University professor and former soccer coach and author of "Reflections From the Field,” tells how. He also identifies traits of the best coaches.

Too often, sports kids come to practice and go through the motions, says Bobby Kipper, a former college coach and co-author of a new book, "Performance Driven Thinking." He gives tips for inspiring, motivating and focusing young athletes using "performance driven thinking."

How do you motivate young athletes? Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews Steven Frierman, a professor at Hofstra University and a former coach who advises coaches and athletes about the mental game.

VJ Stanley, a retired college hockey coach and youth sports coach of 30 years who wants to change sports and bring back healthy fun for children, gives detailed and fun tips for introducing young kids to sports.

Brad Jubin, co-founder of "A Team That Always Plays for Each Other." discusses the value of ensuring sports kids' Number One Priority is supporting each other.

How does all the news about steroid use in sports hurt young athletes? Kirk Mango, national champion, Hall of Famer, and author of 201CBecoming A True Champion," says that this is a big distraction for young athletes. He explains what kids should be focusing on.

Kevin MacCauley, founder of BookACoach, describes how youth coaches can hurt or boost kids' confidence in sports. His company provides private, one-on-one coaching nationwide.

Daniel St.Andre, president of the Town and Country Lacrosse Assoc., gives tips for dealing with kids who play positions that require them to focus intensely. These kids often get upset or angry if they make mistakes.

Courtney Johnson, a silver Olympic medialist water polo player who is now a sports parent gives mental game tips for parents, based on her experience with her own children. She covers perfectionism, fear of failure and other topics.

Jack Malley, sports dad, coach, and author of “Meet the Lunatics who Run Your Kids’ Sports Leagues," addresses the pitfalls of early specialization and offers sports parents tips. When does it make sense to specialize early?

Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews Troy Drayton, coordinator of youth programs for the Miami Dolphins, who says distractions are a top mental game challenge for kids. He offers tips for both young athletes and their parents, saying sometimes parents pressure their sports kids too much.