Skip to the library

FIELD & ICE · MINDSET LIBRARY

There’s more to your game
than the score.

Useful reading and small, practical techniques for the moments that matter. Explore at your own pace, or with someone you trust.

20 curated articles9 short techniquesNo account or AI credits needed

A PLACE TO START

Build your mental game.

For athletes, parents & coaches.
Younger athletes can explore with a trusted adult.

20 articles

Nemours KidsHealth

When sports start to feel like pressure

Read about sports pressure and finding support when the game stops feeling enjoyable.

NervesPressureBalance

For: Teen athletes

About this source

Original article: Dealing With Stress In Sports

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : Dealing With Stress In Sports (opens in a new tab)
Nemours KidsHealth

Make a big goal smaller

Choose realistic, personal goals and make room for setbacks while building a new habit.

MotivationGoals

For: Teen athletes

About this source

Original article: 5 Facts About Goal Setting

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : 5 Facts About Goal Setting (opens in a new tab)
Nemours KidsHealth

Try a mindful moment

Explore simple ways to practice paying attention to the present moment.

FocusNerves

For: Teen athletes

About this source

Original article: Mindfulness Exercises

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : Mindfulness Exercises (opens in a new tab)
U.S. Center for SafeSport

Get help with bullying in sport

A starting point for recognizing bullying and involving people who can help.

BullyingTeamworkSupport

For: Parents and coaches

About this source

Original article: Things to Do When You Notice Bullying

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : Things to Do When You Notice Bullying (opens in a new tab)
Nemours KidsHealth

What talking to a therapist can be like

Learn about seeking support from a qualified mental health professional.

Support

For: Teen athletes

About this source

Original article: Going to a Therapist

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : Going to a Therapist (opens in a new tab)
Nemours KidsHealth

Make a plan for pre-game nerves

Prepare for competition and find a personal routine for the waiting time before a performance.

NervesFocusPressure

For: Teen athletes

About this source

Original article: 5 Ways to Beat Pre-performance Nerves

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : 5 Ways to Beat Pre-performance Nerves (opens in a new tab)
Nemours KidsHealth

Build confidence one step at a time

Recognize strengths, try manageable challenges, and respond kindly when confidence dips.

ConfidenceSelf talk

For: Teen athletes

About this source

Original article: Confidence in Teens

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : Confidence in Teens (opens in a new tab)
Nemours KidsHealth

Winning, losing, and learning

A child-friendly introduction to competition, mistakes, and asking adults to ease excessive pressure.

MistakesPressureTeamwork

For: Younger athletes, with a trusted adult

About this source

Original article: How to Compete in Sports

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : How to Compete in Sports (opens in a new tab)
Boston Children’s Hospital

When a game does not go your way

Put a disappointing performance in perspective and make room for feelings before reviewing what happened.

MistakesConfidenceSupport

For: Athletes and parents

About this source

Original article: When athletes have bad days: Tips for athletes and parents

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : When athletes have bad days: Tips for athletes and parents (opens in a new tab)
Children’s Hospital Colorado

When your athlete wants to stop playing

Explore lost enjoyment, pressure, and possible burnout, then decide on next steps with your child.

MotivationBurnoutBalance

For: Parents and caregivers

About this source

Original article: What to Do When Your Child Wants to Quit a Sport or Activity

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : What to Do When Your Child Wants to Quit a Sport or Activity (opens in a new tab)
Nemours KidsHealth

Be the teammate you would want beside you

Examples of supporting teammates, respecting opponents, and telling an adult about hurtful behavior.

TeamworkCommunicationBullying

For: Teen athletes

About this source

Original article: Good Sportsmanship

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : Good Sportsmanship (opens in a new tab)
TrueSport

Prepare for a conversation with your coach

Plan a question, practice the conversation, and agree on next steps. If you feel unsafe, involve a trusted adult.

CommunicationSupportTeamwork

For: Athletes, with adult support when needed

About this source

Original article: Why and How Athletes Can Have Tough Talks with their Coaches

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : Why and How Athletes Can Have Tough Talks with their Coaches (opens in a new tab)
Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Make room for school, sport, and yourself

Consider schedules, everyday habits, competition pressure, and ways to be kinder to yourself after mistakes.

BalancePressureFocus

For: Young athletes and families

About this source

Original article: Stress in Young Athletes

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : Stress in Young Athletes (opens in a new tab)
Children’s Hospital Colorado

The emotional side of being injured

Understand injury-related feelings and discuss confidence or return-to-sport concerns with the athlete’s care team.

Injury feelingsConfidenceSupport

For: Athletes and parents

About this source

Original article: Sports Injury Psychology

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : Sports Injury Psychology (opens in a new tab)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Leave space for sleep and recovery

Read about age-based sleep needs, everyday habits, and discussing recurring sleep problems with a healthcare professional.

SleepBalanceRecovery

For: Athletes and families

About this source

Original article: About Sleep

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : About Sleep (opens in a new tab)
NHS

Let your breathing feel comfortable

Try gentle breathing at an easy pace, with comfort taking priority over a target count.

NervesFocusPressure

For: Athletes; younger children with adult guidance

About this source

Original article: Breathing exercises for stress

Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.

Read original article : Breathing exercises for stress (opens in a new tab)

How we choose these resources

We link to original guidance from children’s hospitals, health organizations, and sports psychology and youth sport organizations. Descriptions and techniques are written for this library; full articles open on the publisher’s website. Links were checked on October 12, 2026. Publishers may change their content.

This library offers education and everyday skills, not diagnosis or treatment. If a concern persists or affects daily life, involve a trusted adult and a qualified mental health professional. Field & Ice does not store your searches or create an athlete profile from your reading choices.

You deserve support from a person

If you feel unsafe, overwhelmed, or worried about hurting yourself or someone else, tell a safe, trusted adult now. You can choose a parent, another relative, school counselor, or another adult you trust. If someone at home or on the team is part of the problem, choose someone else. This app is not monitored and cannot contact help for you.

For immediate danger, contact local emergency services. In the U.S. and its territories, call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support. Outside the U.S., use your local crisis service.

988 support information