Building Confidence in Young Athletes

Updated: 26 Aug 2025 • 147 episodes
www.youthsportspsychology.com

Ultimate Sports Parent Radio (www.youthsportspsychology.com), which aims to instill confidence and success in child and teen athletes, interviews coaches, parents, authors, professors and others about how to identify and overcome mental game challenges in sports. Hosted by Lisa Cohn. co-founder of the Ultimate Sports Parent and Kids' Sports Psychology.

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What if young athletes could practice visualization and then receive feedback in real time that improves their performance? Konstantin Sonkin, a neuroscientist and founder of i-Brain Tech, uses neuroscience-based technology to help athletes boost focus and decision-making. Learn more about Dr. Sonkin at i-Brain.Tech Su

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Elite athletes from across the world competed in the 17th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships, and 14-year-old Ysabella won 8 medals in the junior division. Her dad, Rex Cajanding, who was involved in her training, gives tips to sports parents about how to help kids attain success--without burning them out. Sub

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It's a myth that participating in youth sports will build character in youing athletes, say Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, authors of "Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports." The problem: There are too many variables in youth sports to conclude that participating will build character. Referees

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Forty-two percent of children report being bullied by coaches or physical education teachers. Common bullying programs don't work, said Tom Dahlborg, president and CEO of Dahlborg HealthCaring Leadership Group. Bullying can make kids depressed, anxious and even suicidal.  Dahlborg is working to implement better anti-bu

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When athletes' identities are wrapped up in sports, they can experience pressure and high expectations. What's more, they might become disappointed if they go to college and are no longer the stars they were on their high school teams, said Zedralyn Butler, author of The Mental State of Sports and a former Division 1 b

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Sports kids should push past challenges by focusing on incremental steps rather than the bigger end goal, said Dianette Wells, a world-class mountaineer, ultra-endurance athlete and author. For example, to prepare for a hike in Malibu, Calif., she focused on improving her time by a minute each time she hiked.  “I just

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