Mental preparation for young athletes
We cannot speak of mental preparation, but rather of a mental foundation. The child is at the center of learning and must be the main actor in their sports project, step by step, using different techniques. The goal is to acquire and develop the mental qualities necessary for high-level performance: confidence, concentration, and the management of emotions. Mental preparation for young athletes:
-
The qualities necessary for high-level performance include technique, tactics, and physical fitness. It is important to give competition its rightful place, take ownership of the sports project, strive for quality in matches and training, develop autonomy, learn to manage emotions and learn to self-assess.
-
The stages of acquiring mental qualities by age group are as follows:
Young people from 4 to 6 years old:
Profile: They enjoy playing, being with their parents, dreaming, exercising, being with friends, and talking (but have very little concentration).
Observations:
- The importance of play, fun, and dreams.
- The emotional role of educators and friends.
- Very limited attention.
Techniques used:
- Use simple and colorful language.
- Prioritize play for motivation.
- Encourage and praise for building confidence.
- Teach rigor and respect by participating in setting up and tidying up.
- Provide a variety of games to enhance concentration.
Young people from 7 to 10 years old:
Profile: They enjoy games, being with their parents, competition, learning, observing, imitating, and recognition (but have little concentration).
Observations:
- The importance of the game.
- The emotional role of educators and parents.
- Natural inclination towards competition and challenges.
- Great capacity for imitation.
- Limited attention span.
Techniques used:
- Learn through play and passion for motivation.
- Teach the place and role of competition to foster combativeness.
- Encourage trust and praise.
- Use instructions, scores, and objectives to enhance concentration.
- Encourage recounting matches to develop autonomy.
Young people from 11 to 14 years old:
Profile: They enjoy being with friends, performing well, with ease, recognition, and respect (they are sensitive and seek validation).
Observations:
- The importance of competition and results.
- The presence of "good excuses."
- The role of the coach and parents.
- Establishing a workout routine.
Techniques used:
- Fuel the passion and the dream for motivation.
- Promote autonomy and maturity through the use of notebooks.
- Foster confidence and fighting spirit through objectives, involvement, and perseverance.
- Teach self-control and how to manage emotions.
Young people aged 15 to 18:
Profile: They enjoy feeling recognized, competent, and respected, and having easy fun (they are against daily obligations).
Observations:
- The significance and consequences of results.
- Desire for autonomy and responsibility.
- Preferring easy and immediate pleasure.
- Tendency to make excuses.
Techniques used:
- Maintain the dream and encourage ownership of their sports project for motivation and autonomy.
- Focus on concentration and stress management through routines and tactical achievement goals.
- Stress in young people:
The important points to reduce stress in young players are:
- Goal setting: The coach's role is to set ambitious yet achievable goals for the player, both in the short and long term, so that the youngster knows where they are heading.
- The place of competition: The player should plan their tournaments and determine the desired level of competition.
- Accepting mistakes: The young player needs to understand that making mistakes is essential and inevitable during training.
- Attitude: It is crucial to cultivate a positive attitude from an early age, learning to encourage oneself, staying positive, and not giving up or getting angry too quickly.
- Conclusion:
The mental qualities of a tennis player should not be expected to be fully developed at the beginning of a young player's training. Instead, they should be developed gradually over time. It is the coach's responsibility to determine the most appropriate timing for the acquisition of each mental quality.
Let us not forget that our primary goal is to facilitate the development of a fulfilled adult with invaluable experiences, rather than solely focusing on training a champion at any cost.
Next read: https://mentalaccelerator.com/resource/purpose-vision/what-is-your-legacy-as-an-athlete