Managing sports anxiety in children

Swimmers lined up on the block, runners waiting for the starting pistol, gymnasts stretching on the mat…all waiting for the most important athletic event of their careers. Of course elite athletes experience anxiety! Anxiety before a big game or performance is normal, but too much can interfere with performance. Cognitive and sports psychologists have long studied the fact that some skills depend on “procedural memory,” meaning these skills do not require conscious thought about the action, but instead rely on training and practice. In sports, this is referred to as “muscle memory.” Muscle memory is especially compromised in high-stress situations resulting in choking under pressure.
You do not have to be an elite athlete to experience performance anxiety in sports. Children and teenagers frequently struggle with this as well.
When is your child experiencing too much performance anxiety?
Watch out for these signs:
How can parents/coaches help?
First, identify whether you are unintentionally increasing pressure. Ask yourself these questions:
Second, help your child learn to manage his/her anxiety with the following:
Parents, coaches and children should remember elite athletes dedicate their entire lives to their sport—it is literally their job. Kids, on the other hand, have many other “jobs.” While a miniscule number may become elite athletes, the majority of children play sports for other important reasons: to build confidence, improve health, learn teamwork and most importantly, HAVE FUN!