Write your search in the input below and press enter.
Esc to close.

The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich

Peak Performance:
Not Just for Sports, for Life

  • Products
    • Toolkits
    • Audio
    • Videos
    • Books
    • Apps
  • Services
  • Chalk Talk
    • Recent
    • Athletes
    • Coaching
    • Sports Parenting
    • Sports Administrators
    • Life
    • Administrators
  • About Dr. Stankovich
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Products
    • Toolkits
    • Audio
    • Books
    • Videos
    • Apps
  • Services
  • Chalk Talk
  • About Dr. Stankovich
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Hello. Sign In

My Account
  • Login
  • Register
0
The Sports Doc Chalk Talk
Subscribe
The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
  • Recent
  • Athletes
  • Coaching
  • Sports Parenting
  • Life
  • Administrators
Home / Blog / Learn this Fascinating Reason Why Your Child Might be Struggling with Sport Performance

Learn this Fascinating Reason Why Your Child Might be Struggling with Sport Performance

By: Dr. Chris Stankovich | @DrStankovich | Aug 06, 2015

No Comments

300h

While it is true that some kids fail to live up to their athletic potential because of sports anxiety (also known as “choking” in the sport psychology lingo), others play poorly for an entirely different and surprising reason.  In these examples, the athlete does not struggle with choking, but instead voluntarily chooses to not play his best.  Confused?  Perhaps legendary women’s tennis player Martina Navratilova’s insightful quote from 1987 referencing her competition of younger players will help:

“I was afraid to play my best…I was scared to find out if they could beat me when I’m playing my best because if they can, then I am finished.”

The “intentional fail” excuse might come as a surprise to sports parents and coaches, but it makes more sense when you think of it as a defense mechanism — particularly to young athletes saddled with high expectations.  By losing while not competing hard, the focus is shifted from the athlete’s potential to an excuse of some kind, i.e. a nagging injury, the weather, cramps, etc.  The excuse, therefore, buys more time and comfort for the athlete while simultaneously delaying the reality with respect to the athlete’s true potential and abilities.

Living up to personal and/or others expectations can be a daunting task, and sometimes even overwhelming (especially for kids).  Athletes who showed promise at an early age are more prone to high expectations, leading to this kind of “self-sabotage” relating to sport performance. Over time, some athletes may even choose an early sport retirement if the pressure to perform becomes too great.

Fortunately, many of the risks of the intentional fail can be mitigated by active coaching/parenting.  Talk to athletes about having realistic expectations, and not get caught up in the hype created by others.  It’s also important to praise athletes for effort, not just results.  Finally, when they do fail, make sure to normalize the experience and remind the athlete that everyone in life experiences stress, adversity, frustration, and failure.

www.drstankovich.com

cover225x225

anxiety, Coaching, confidence, parenting, performance, psychology, sport, Stress

  • Author
  • Comments
  • Details
Get to Know the Author

Dr. Chris Stankovich

Dr. Stankovich has written/co-written five books, including Positive Transitions for Student Athletes, The ParentsPlaybook, Mind of Steel.

Latest Blog Posts

  • June 29, 2022 Don’t Discount the Value of Fun, Unstructured Play for Kids Mental Health
  • June 20, 2022 Sports Parents & Coaches Can Use Youth Sports as a Mental Health Boost for Kids
  • June 15, 2022 Show Kids How Much You Care Before You Teach Them What You Know
  • June 14, 2022 Study Finds Team Sports May be Best for Kids & their Mental Health
  • June 8, 2022 Accepting that Life is Difficult is a Healthy 1st Step Toward Life Success

Comments are closed.

PREVIOUS POST

The Biggest Secret to Sport Success: Playing with HEART

NEXT POST

Why Some Incredibly Talented Athletes Voluntarily Quit Sports

Category

Amateur , Athletes , Athletic Counseling , Athletic Director , Boys Sports , Burnout , Coaching , College , College Portfolio , Communicating with Coach , Confidence , Cuts , Eligibility , Evaluating Talent , Girls Sports , Imagery , Leadership and Role Modeling , League Operator , Mental Toughness , Olympic and International , Parent Training , Performance Enhancement , Playing Time , Prep , Pro , Pro and College Sports , Psychology of Injury , Quitting , Social Responsibility , Sport Diversity , Sport Philosophy , Sport Psychology , Sport Sociology , Sport Transitions , Sports Culture and Society , Sports Humor , Sports Leadership , Sports Marketing , Sports Parenting , Sports Performance Science , Sports Retirement , Sports Safety , Team Building , Team Chemistry , Team Cohesion , Training and Certification , Training and Development , Travel Leagues , Uncategorized , Youth and Interscholastic Sports , Youth Sport Burnout , Youth Sports

Tags

anxiety, Coaching, confidence, parenting, performance, psychology, sport, Stress

  • Recent Posts
  • Most Read
  • Don't Discount the Value of Fun, Unstructured Play for Kids Mental Health
  • Sports Parents & Coaches Can Use Youth Sports as a Mental Health Boost for Kids
  • Show Kids How Much You Care Before You Teach Them What You Know
  • Study Finds Team Sports May be Best for Kids & their Mental Health
  • Accepting that Life is Difficult is a Healthy 1st Step Toward Life Success
  • Overcome the Fear of Failure, Improve Mental Toughness, & Experience Success
  • How Much Impact Does a Coach Have on Sports Team Success?
  • Avoid the Dangers of "Whataboutism" for Better Relationships & Improved Mental Health
  • Help Kids Maximize Youth Sports by Using Athletic Transferable Skills
  • Improve Mental Health by Means of Catharsis & Purging Negative Thoughts
  • The Sports Doc on TV

    Catch Dr. Stankovich’s tv, radio, and print interviews and columns here!

    Dr. Chris Stankovich Watch Videos
  • Sport Performance Assessment

    Dr. Chris Stankovich Quickly and accurately test your level of mental toughness in just a few minutes using the Sport Performance Assessment.

    (SPA), an easy-to-use sport psychology system specially designed to help you REACH YOUR FULL ATHLETIC POTENTIAL.

    learn more
  • SportsSuccess360

    Life strategies for performance and character development for coaches, parents, and student athletes competing in youth and interscholastic sports.

    Life Strategies learn more
  • Contact Dr. Stankovich

    1395 Grandview Avenue Suite 6, Columbus OH 43212

    (614) 561-4482
    Media & General Inquiries
    information@drstankovich.com
    Sales & Product Support
    sales@drstankovich.com
  • About Dr. Stankovich

    • Media
    • Blog
    • Testimonials
  • Products

    • Toolkits
    • Videos
    • Books
    • Audio
    • iPhone Apps
  • Services

    • Athlete Performance Training
    • Parent Community Forum
    • Coach Education & Development
    • Athletic Crisis Response and Intervention
    • Drug & Alcohol Assessment
    • Life Success Programs
    • Counseling & Consulting Services
  • Blog
  • YouTube
  • twitter
  • facebook

All rights reserved © 2022 Advanced Human Performance Systems™

↓ ↓