Flushing Out the Frustration in Youth Sports

When frustration, anxiety, anger and doubt creep into a young athletes game, it can take them from hero to zero in a matter of seconds.  The pressure of playing the game is one thing; but when you add the weight of spectators, coaches and parents to a child’s thought process, you give them something new to think about.  The last thing they want to do is let anyone down; but then they make a mistake and disappointment begins to eat at their inner psyche.  They know what you’re thinking and they do their best to keep playing; but that one mistake has taken their confidence and smashed it to the ground.  As coaches we can either pull them from the game or we can give them the tools to overcome these obstacles; so they can keep playing the game. A good coach will make mental toughness training part of his program.  

Mental toughness techniques can help children deal with situations on and off the field.  For example, one of the techniques I use to help my young athletes deal with frustration and anger involves three simple steps: Scream It Out, Breathe It In & Shake It Off.  


We start by designating one object as the SCREAM SPOT.  It can be a cone, a tree or whatever else you can think of; but it has to be something they can walk up too and let out a scream.  This simple step releases what is clouding their minds, so they can begin the healing process.  Follow this with a deep breath and an even bigger exhale and the child begins to instantly feel better.  Next have them shake their body and free themselves of any remaining emotions still clinging tightly.  At this point they might feel a little silly or amused with themselves, but they are no longer allowing the mistake they made to control them.  Sprinkle in some encouragement from players and coaches and before you know it, they’re back in the game.

This is just one simple method.  There are a multitude or resources that coaches can use to help players overcome confidence crushing moments in sports.  By incorporating mental toughness training into their regime, coaches begin to give their player the skills necessary to deal with what life may throw their way.