What You Say After the Game: Building Confidence in Athletes | #180
Tue Feb 03 2026
Book a mindset training team workshop, school assembly or speaking engagement: https://shop.danunow.com/s/appointments
In this episode, Kate McCauley discusses the pressures faced by young athletes and their parents in the realm of youth sports. She emphasizes the importance of protecting a child's confidence and offers practical strategies for parents to support their athletes, particularly during post-game conversations. The discussion highlights the need for a mindset shift in how parents approach their child's performance and the significance of creating a supportive environment that fosters resilience and emotional strength.
Takeaways:
Protect your child's athlete confidence with supportive language. Pressure in youth sports often comes from home, not just coaches. Parents should focus on the fun aspect of youth sports. Mistakes should not define a child's worth or identity. Timing of parental feedback is crucial after games. Teach athletes how to respond to external pressures. The car ride home is a critical time for building confidence. Silence can be a form of support after a game. Ask if your athlete wants advice or just to vent. Praise effort and focus, not just outcomes.
Keywords: youth sports, athlete confidence, parenting, sports pressure, mindset shift, emotional strength, post-game conversations, resilience, sports parenting, athlete development
CONNECT with Kate McCauley:
IG https://www.instagram.com/the.champion_within
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-mccauley-danu
Book a Mindset Training Appointment: https://shop.danunow.com
Kate McCauley's website https://www.kate-mccauley.com
More
Book a mindset training team workshop, school assembly or speaking engagement: https://shop.danunow.com/s/appointments In this episode, Kate McCauley discusses the pressures faced by young athletes and their parents in the realm of youth sports. She emphasizes the importance of protecting a child's confidence and offers practical strategies for parents to support their athletes, particularly during post-game conversations. The discussion highlights the need for a mindset shift in how parents approach their child's performance and the significance of creating a supportive environment that fosters resilience and emotional strength. Takeaways: Protect your child's athlete confidence with supportive language. Pressure in youth sports often comes from home, not just coaches. Parents should focus on the fun aspect of youth sports. Mistakes should not define a child's worth or identity. Timing of parental feedback is crucial after games. Teach athletes how to respond to external pressures. The car ride home is a critical time for building confidence. Silence can be a form of support after a game. Ask if your athlete wants advice or just to vent. Praise effort and focus, not just outcomes. Keywords: youth sports, athlete confidence, parenting, sports pressure, mindset shift, emotional strength, post-game conversations, resilience, sports parenting, athlete development CONNECT with Kate McCauley: IG https://www.instagram.com/the.champion_within LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-mccauley-danu Book a Mindset Training Appointment: https://shop.danunow.com Kate McCauley's website https://www.kate-mccauley.com