How to Overcome Performance Anxiety in Youth Sports

Performance anxiety in any sport is real and holds us back from pushing forward.  So, what do we do?  All anxiety comes from the fears in our minds.  These fears come in many different forms.

Sports Psychology and Overcoming Performance Anxiety

Sports psychology is an interdisciplinary science that draws on knowledge from many related fields including biomechanics, physiology, kinesiology, and psychology. It involves the study of how psychological factors affect performance and how participation in sport and exercise affect psychological and physical factors.^[1] In addition to instruction and training of psychological skills for performance improvement, applied sports psychology may include work with athletes, coaches, and parents regarding injury, rehabilitation, communication, team building, and career transitions.

Here at Fearless in Sports we use applied sports psychology and a number of other mental toughness tools and tactics to get results.

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do.  It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.” – Rikki Rogers

This quote above by Rikki Rogers says so much about overcoming our fears.

How often do you fear embarrassment or failure?  Do you say to yourself “I don’t belong at this level”, or I am not big enough or talented enough for this sport”?  It is very hard to perform to your potential when you overthink so much that you become paralyzed during competition.  Letting your emotions take control over you.  When this happens we get overwhelmed with anger and frustration and unable to handle criticism to get us back in the game.

Working on releasing these interferences helps clear the fears that don’t exist.  This helps you get to that next level and gain the confidence you need to succeed in life.  With our R.A.C.E program, you will learn to control your emotions, especially the fears and destructive beliefs you have. Gaining these mental skills will take you beyond your sport and into your life.

Contact me for more information on how you or someone you care about can benefit from the program.