How Perfectionism Stifles Young Athletes' Confidence, News, Novice, Travel Teams, 2010-2011 (Amherstburg Minor Hockey Association)

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Oct 11, 2010 | Patrick Cohn, Ph.D., Mental Training Expert & Lisa Cohn | 3950 views
How Perfectionism Stifles Young Athletes' Confidence
Often, we hear from parents who worry about young athletes who are too hard on themselves. You're likely familiar with these types of athletes. They're perfectionists or perfectionist.

Often, we hear from parents who worry about young athletes who are too hard on themselves. You're likely familiar with these types of athletes. They're perfectionists or perfectionist.

 

Perfectionist athletes criticize themselves for making mistakes, often hold very high expectations for themselves, and get frustrated easily after making mistakes.

 

On the positive side, these athletes have a strong work ethic, are committed to their goals, and want to learn and improve. In fact, most athletes display at least some 'perfectionist' traits from time to time.

 

It's not always easy for perfectionist athletes to perform up to their abilities. When kids try to be perfect, they can undermine their own talents quickly. They hold strict expectations about their performance, are afraid of failing, and worry too much about results--statistics, goals scored or wins.

 

If your young athlete is a perfectionist, begin by identifying the traits that may be sabotaging his or her confidence in competition.

 

Does your child want to win so badly that he feels anxious? Is your athlete afraid of failing or losing? Does he or she play tentatively during games? Does your athlete try too hard and then over-control his or her performance?

 

One important task for you as parent...

 

Parents with perfectionist athletes should help kids identify their high (often unrealistic) expectations about how they should perform.

Then help your child replace these expectations with simple process goals.

 

For example, say your athlete believes he or she should hit every shot perfectly. Suggest that your child replace his or her "I must hit every shot perfectly" mindset with these simple process goals or

objectives:

 

1. Pick the right target for each shot

2. Be decisive

3. Be confident.

 

Want to learn more about how to help your kids overcome the negative effects of perfectionism?

 

Check out our "Kick Perfectionism" program for parents and their

kids:

 

http://www.youthsportspsychology.com/kick_perfectionism.php

 

Sincerely,

 

Patrick Cohn, Ph.D., Mental Training Expert & Lisa Cohn, Youth Sports Parenting Author

 

P.S. Our Kick Perfectionism program is free for Kids' Sports Psychology members. Become a member and download the program today:

 

http://www.kidssportspsychology.com/

 

 

 

 

 

©2010 The Ultimate Sports Parent by Peak Performance Sports Instilling Mental Skills for Sports & Life!

888-742-7225 407-909-1700 (local)

http://www.youthsportspsychology.com/welcome.php

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