How to Develop Mental Skills in Youth Athletes

 

culled from:wikihow.com

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   Bring all the athletes together to decide upon a goal for the upcoming practice. This goal should address a particular skill that they want to develop or improve upon during the practice or training session. Have the athletes declare their goals before the group.
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   Focus on goals in your practice sessions and drills. When the athletes begin any drill or exercise, review with the athletes the purpose of that particular drill and exercise and how it can help them reach their practice goal for that day.
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   Encourage sharing about why the athletes are participating in the sport. During the first half of practice, bring the athletes together and ask them to complete the following statement: "I love to play this game because ____________." Ask each athlete to share his statement with the group.
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   Foster reflection on personal skills and how they contribute to the team. At the midpoint of practice, hand out a 3x5 card to each athlete and ask them to write down the answers to the following two questions: "What are my personal strengths?" (it could be their physical strength, ability to focus, intelligence, sense of humor, intensity, leadership skills, courage, positive thinking, etc.) and "How can I use my personal strengths to help my team be successful?". Give the players about 10 minutes to complete and then collect them.
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   Get your team members to discussion their emotions towards the sport. Towards the end of practice, ask the athletes to sit down and to ask themselves the following questions: "With regards to playing this sport or playing on this team, what am I grateful for?" and then "And whatever I am grateful for, how can this make me a better athlete?". Ask several players to share their answers with the team.