For a young athlete, the stress of playing softball or baseball can weigh heavily on them, affecting their performance and their overall well-being. As a parent, you can encourage and “coach” them to keep a healthy perspective on what matters in life. You can also equip them with healthy coping mechanisms to help with stress management. Here are a few to get started.
Stress Management Relaxation Techniques
Teach your athlete relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization and stretching. These techniques can help calm nerves and reduce anxiety before and during games.
- Deep Breathing: Teach your child to breathe deeply through their nose, hold their breath for a few seconds, and exhale slowly through their mouth. Repeat this process several times to promote relaxation and aid in stress management.
- Visualization: This allows them to project performing well in the game. They see themselves throwing strikes, making plays in the field or getting a hit.
- Yoga and Stretching: Encourage them to incorporate yoga or gentle stretching exercises into pre-game warm-ups to promote relaxation and flexibility. Yoga poses, such as child’s pose and downward dog, help release tension in the body and calm the mind.
Positive Self-Talk
Teach your child to use positive self-talk to challenge negative thoughts and beliefs. Encourage them to replace self-doubt with affirmations and reminders of their strengths and capabilities.
“Players who are prepared and confident look for the big pressure situations,” said Nick Francis, former professional baseball player and coach for Powermill Training Academy. “You have to think positively and believe in your abilities to become successful. Keep pumping positive thoughts to yourself and trust your training. Self-doubt cannot be an option.”
Healthy Habits
By eating well and getting enough sleep, your child can optimize their performance, mood and overall health, providing a solid foundation for success both on and off the field.
Pre-Game Rituals
Help them develop pre-game routines or rituals to get them prepared and focused. This could include physical warm-ups, mental visualization and any other specific ritual that helps your player feel confident and ready to perform.
Positive Reinforcement
Offer praise and encouragement, focusing on effort and improvement rather than just outcomes. Positive reinforcement helps boost confidence and resilience, making your child better equipped to handle stressful situations.
Other Hobbies
Does your child have hobbies outside of sports? While it might feel impossible to add one more activity to an already-busy schedule, having additional hobbies can help them relax, express their creativity and build a sense of identity outside of sports. For example, they might take up reading, participate in a theatre production or join a language club.
Realistic Expectations
Help your child set realistic expectations. Remind them that mistakes are a natural part of the game and an opportunity for learning and growth.
“Experience plays a big part in young athletes and how they perform in those high-pressure situations,” said Francis. “The more times you are put in high-pressure situations you will find out if you can handle it and if you really want to get dirty and play hard. You must want the next ground ball hit to you, or hope to be the last batter up to the plate with two outs in the last inning.”
Perspective
Finally, help your child keep perspective on the importance of baseball relative to other aspects of their lives. Remind them that while baseball is important, it’s just one part of who they are, and their worth is not defined by their performance on the field.
“Make sure you are relaxed and control your emotions,” said Francis. “Don’t get too high and don’t get too low. Stay humble and confident. Every pitch and every at-bat can be a new opportunity to be a winner!”
Power Up Your Player’s Game
While it can be easy to get caught up in the competitive spirit of sports, it’s important to teach your child stress management techniques they can use to succeed on the field and in life.
At Powermill Training Academy, our core values of teamwork, respect and persistence are instilled into every player we coach. Located in Tallahassee, our unique 16,000-square-foot facility creates an unparalleled experience for members and guests. We’re focused on player-first mentorship programs for baseball and life, helping each player improve their skills – and build character along the way. Click here to schedule a consultation today.
