112 How to Deal with Physical Insecurities as a Young Athlete

In this solo episode, I discuss a challenge that many young athletes often come across and something that we get approached by parents and the athlete themselves about on a regular basis.  Dealing with physical insecurities.  I go on to share some exercises, that I often use citing a case study of Harry (pseudonym) the goalkeeper who was small for his position, which impacted his focus and confidence.   Key Learning Points By helping shift an athletes focus towards internal factors that he or she can control can help them feel less helpless. Examining an athletes expectations of small details in their sport can help you shift their perspective. Setting mini-goals between sessions is a great way to strengthen an athletes confidence and motivation levels. Spending time assessing an athlete’s strengths and planning how to improve specific areas can be a great confidence builder. Relationships and the way athletes communicate with coaches is important and vice versa, can have a significant impact on how an athlete feels. Using metaphors such as an animal or a superhero in a visual way can enhance confidence. Connect with David Charlton Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Relevant Podcast Episodes Ep039: John Fletcher – How to Develop Fearless Athletes Ep49: James Maurice - How Does Sport Psychology in Elite Football Academies Help  Ep064: Edu Rubio – How to Support Young Footballers Ep081: Stuart Wade – Mental Toughness in Combat Sports Ep111: Michael Caulfield - How to be an Effective Sports Psychologist in Elite Professional Football Relevant Blogs and Resources Case Study: Supporting a Young Footballer to Overcome His Fears Blog: How to Help Children Overcome Fear of Failure Blog: How do I Help my Child to Focus in Sports? Child and Youth Motivation for Sport Quiz Sport Psychology Resources for Children and Parents