| As a sports psychology expert, I often work | | | | When working with students, I teach these |
| very closely with my students parents when I | | | | concepts and help young athletes identify |
| provide one-on-one mental coaching for young | | | | expectations that hurt their performance. |
| athletes. Thats because it helps meand my | | | | Parents, in their efforts to be supportive, often |
| students--when parents are knowledgeable about | | | | say or do things that are interpreted by the child |
| mental game strategies for young athletes. | | | | as expectations. Lets get back to my golf |
| Yes, parents need mental training, too! | | | | example. A parent, with good intentions, might |
| Parent sometimes can impede my mental | | | | say, You should be able to shoot even par on this |
| coaching process, even though they have the | | | | course today you have done it before. |
| best intentions. | | | | It sounds supportive and seems like the correct |
| Parents expectations can pressure young athletes. | | | | thing to say, right? Not from a mental game |
| Parents will often impose their own expectations | | | | perspective. Young golfers can interpret such |
| on their kids, thinking that they are actually | | | | statements in surprising ways. In this case, the |
| boosting their confidence. But often, the opposite | | | | child may think he should shoot even par and if he |
| is true. | | | | doesnt, hes letting down his parents. |
| When coaching my students in golf, I try to help | | | | I knowsounds like a stretch, but this is how the |
| the parents and athletes understand that strict | | | | mind of the young athlete works. He internalizes |
| expectations limit kids performance. They often | | | | your high expectations, then becomes more |
| do this by undermining kids confidence. | | | | conscious about his score for the day. He believes |
| Confidence leads athletes into the winners circle. | | | | he should shoot even par for the day. |
| Expectations lead athletes to frustration when | | | | This is why parents need mental training too. You |
| they are not performing up to their self-imposed | | | | need to impart the mental game lessons that I |
| ideals. | | | | teach my students. |