Win the Car Ride Home
Mental Performance Training is about developing your mental skills playbook to optimize consistency in the field. The goal is to train your mental skills just as much as you would train your physical skills.
Mental Performance Training helps develop skills such as self evaluation, goal setting, how to slow the game down, building confidence, mental rehearsal, routines, overcoming failure, and more.
So, what can you do as a parent?
Understand and encourage to trust the process. This game is hard, and if you both focus on just results, it will eat you alive. After games, ask questions about the process, not the outcome such as “What did you feel today?” , “What did you learn today?” , “What did you get better at today?” , “What do you think you’re working on right now”, “Did you hit the ball hard?” , “Did you have fun?” VS “Did you win?” or “Did you get a hit?”
Maintain open communication. Let your athlete know what you expect such as working hard, a good attitude, being coachable, having fun, and improvement when faced with a challenge or opportunity. When your athlete isn’t playing well, she knows that. Encourage them to keep going, and ask them questions on what they’re feeling. Two way communication is important.
Let your kid be a kid. Give your child autonomy to explore what they want to be interested in. It’s highly encouraged for young athletes to play multiple sports and pursue multiple options at a young age. Research says it reduces burnout and injury. Burnout at a young age is highly prevalent, so keep in consideration that your athlete must have a passion for the game. Let them figure out what they love!
Understand that getting better takes time. Development takes time. Stay encouraged and understand that skills can be developed. Your athlete will need to put in the work at home. Quality over quantity. Help her and push her, but know your limit.
DO:
Encourage your athlete. Cheer them on. Don’t let them see you ride the emotional rollercoaster (clearly showing anger or disappointment when they make a mistake) Your athlete will look to you when you make a mistake.
Tell them that you love them and value them regardless of how they play. They want to know that their self-worth is not all in their sport.
Ask them if they would like to see private training coaches. Have a conversation about it rather than forcing them.
Use sports as a means to teach your athlete values that will help them in the future, such as integrity, discipline, humility, and courage,
DO NOT:
Don’t compare them to other players constantly
Blame others for your athletes defeat
Coach your athlete in games. For example: When your athlete is up to bat – If you have the 3rd base coach telling your athlete one thing, and the 1st base coach telling your athlete something, don’t be the 3rd coach in the stands. Their mind is already cluttered.
Don’t be a helicopter parent. Don’t be too overprotective or involve yourself too much in your child’s sport. Signs include fighting with the coach about playing time, coaching them in the stands, not letting them fail, fighting their battles.
