Building Confidence in Young Athletes

Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews David Jacobson, marketing communications manager for the Positive Coaching Alliance, about the Alliance’s new National Conversation on Coaching effort. How are people responding to tough questions about coaching? What are people writing in about? What’s on the minds of sports parents today? Providing commentary is mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn.

Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews Jerry Reeder, national program consultant for the American Sport Education Program about how kids can focus on being athletes first and on winning second. He stresses that it’s important for parents to understand this philosophy. He describes how he asks athletes to establish performance goals rather than focusing on outcomes and gives examples of other ways to de-emphasize winning.

Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews Bill Mumford, former director of tennis for the U.S. Tennis Association's National Tennis Center, about how to help youth tennis players improve their mental games. He stresses a play-based approach. Beginners should be exposed immediately--but gently--to play and competition so they can begin dealing with the mental pressures right away, he says.

Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews Rob Gelphman, a baseball coach and former director of marketing for National Youth Sports. He provides tips for boosting kids’ confidence by complimenting them for doing the little things—like backing up the base. Mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn talks about the significance of rewarding such positive behavior and helping kids focus on what’s important.

Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interview Adam, the father of a 10-year wrestler who tries too hard to be perfect, then hesitates and over-thinks instead of following his instincts. Sports psychology expert Dr. Patrick Cohn provides tips for sports parents with kids who have trouble playing instinctively. He talks about the importance of knowing what to say to kids before and after games, and how to provide positive feedback.

Ultimate Sports Parent interviews Les Harrison, founder of Showtime Athletics, Portland, Ore. and a popular basketball coach, about how to help young athletes--especially perfectionists--focus on the process of playing instead of the score.

Ultimate Sports Parent interviews Les Harrison, founder of Showtime Athletics, Portland, Ore. and a popular basketball coach, about how to help young athletes--especially perfectionists--focus on the process of playing instead of the score.

Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews George Klein, a coach with the Positive Coaching Alliance and president of Putnam Youth Basketball in Portland, Ore. about why parents shouldn’t coach from the sidelines. Sports psychology expert Dr. Patrick Cohn explains why parents can instill a fear of failure in their young athletes by coaching from the sidelines.

Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews John, the father of a 6.5-year-old athlete who plays less creatively, intuitively and freely during games. Sports psychology expert Dr. Patrick Cohn answers these questions: Why doesn’t the boy perform as well during games? What’s causing him to tighten up and play below his abilities? Why is it so important for kids to trust in the skills they learn in practice and play freely during games? And how can parents help athletes like this young boy have fun and loosen up during games?

Ultimate Sports Parent Radio interviews Brooke de Lench, founder of

momsteam.com and author of "Home Team Advantage: The Critical Role of

Mothers in Youth Sports," about how moms can use their communication and

networking skills to address common challenges in youth sports today.

Mothers can help kids have more fun, feel more relaxed and avoid

psychological and physical injuries. Leading mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn explains why it's so important for kids to have fun and why parents need to communicate well with coaches.