As a parent, you want the best for your young athlete. You invest in training, nutrition, and the right gear. But what about their MINDSET?
The way your child SPEAKS to themselves (AKA Self Talk) —especially under pressure—can make or break their performance. Positive self talk in youth athletes isn’t just motivational fluff. It’s a GAME-CHANGER in youth sports.
WHAT IS POSITIVE SELF TALK IN YOUTH ATHLETES?
Positive self talk in youth athletes is the inner voice that shapes confidence, focus, and resilience. It’s the difference between:
❌ “I’m not fast enough.”
✅ “I can push harder and improve.”
❌ “I always mess up.”
✅ “I learn from mistakes and get better.”
These small shifts in language have a MASSIVE impact on performance, effort, and enjoyment.
WHY DOES SELF TALK IN YOUTH ATHLETES MATTER?
Many young athletes struggle with SELF-DOUBT. They compare themselves to teammates or competitors, fear failure or setbacks, and can be their own worst critics. But research shows that athletes who use positive self-talk:
✔ Perform BETTER under pressure
✔ RECOVER faster from mistakes
✔ STAY motivated during tough training
✔ BUILD resilience for long-term success
When self-talk in youth athletes is NEGATIVE, it becomes a roadblock. It drains confidence, fuels anxiety, and limits potential. But when self talk in youth athletes is POSITIVE, it’s like an internal COACH that pushes them forward, helping them overcome challenges and setbacks.
HOW PARENTS CAN HELP
Your child’s self talk starts with YOU. The way you encourage, guide, and react to their experiences influences their inner dialogue. Here are 6 simple ways you can help your youth athletes improve their own self talk:
1. MODEL POSITIVE LANGUAGE
Kids mirror what they hear. If they are constantly hearing, “I’m so bad at this” or “I’ll never get it,” they adopt the same mindset. Instead, use positive phrases like:
🚀 “I see how hard you’re working!”
🚀 “Every mistake is a step toward improvement.”
🚀 “You’ve got this—just focus on what you CAN do.”
2. CHALLENGE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
If your child says, “I can’t do this,” help them reframe their negative self talk by saying things like:
🔄 “What’s one thing you CAN do today?”
🔄 “Let’s focus on progress, not perfection.”
🔄 “What would you say to a teammate in the same situation?”
3. USE CUE WORDS FOR TOUGH MOMENTS
Top athletes use POWER WORDS to stay focused. Help your child pick a short phrase they can repeat when pressure hits:
🔥 “Stay strong.”
🔥 “I’ve got this.”
🔥 “One play at a time.”
These simple phrases can be used to improve their self talk and to trigger confidence and composure when it matters most.
4. CELEBRATE EFFORT, NOT JUST RESULTS
Results aren’t always in your child’s control, but EFFORT is. Shift the focus from winning to progress:
🏆 “I love how hard you competed today!”
🏆 “Your footwork looked so much quicker!”
🏆 “That was a tough game, but you kept pushing—amazing!”
5. TURN SETBACKS INTO LESSONS
Every athlete faces disappointment. The key is how they RESPOND. Instead of dwelling on failure, ask:
💡 “What did you learn?”
💡 “What would you do differently next time?”
💡 “How can you turn this into a win?”
This helps your child see setbacks as stepping stones rather than barriers. This will change their self talk to become more positive.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The way your child TALKS to themselves can fuel their success—or hold them back. As a parent, you have the power to shape a POSITIVE mindset that carries them through the highs and lows of sport. Reframing self talk in youth athletes can be critical in their success!
Teach them to be their own BIGGEST SUPPORTER. Because when self-talk is strong, confidence soars, performance improves, and sport becomes a journey they truly LOVE.
💬 What’s one phrase you can think of that can be use for POSITIVE self talk in youth athletes? Drop it in the comments below! 🚀
