When sports start to feel like pressure Read about sports pressure and finding support when the game stops feeling enjoyable.
Nerves Pressure Balance
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) Association for Applied Sport Psychology
Responding to your inner critic Explore how to respond to harsh self-talk after a difficult performance.
Mistakes Confidence Self talk
For: Athletes and coaches
About this source Original article: The Inner Critic: Competitiveness and Self-Criticism
Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.
Read original article : The Inner Critic: Competitiveness and Self-Criticism (opens in a new tab) Helping an athlete build confidence Ideas for adults supporting a young athlete’s confidence.
Confidence Support
For: Parents and coaches
About this source Original article: 7 Ways to Help Your Athlete Be Confident
Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.
Read original article : 7 Ways to Help Your Athlete Be Confident (opens in a new tab) Make a big goal smaller Choose realistic, personal goals and make room for setbacks while building a new habit.
Motivation Goals
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) Try a mindful moment Explore simple ways to practice paying attention to the present moment.
Focus Nerves
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.
Bullying Teamwork Support
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) When asking for help feels hard Think through a next step toward talking with someone you trust.
Support Pressure
For: Teen athletes
About this source Original article: Asking for Help: Getting Past Obstacles
Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.
Read original article : Asking for Help: Getting Past Obstacles (opens in a new tab) 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) Make a plan for pre-game nerves Prepare for competition and find a personal routine for the waiting time before a performance.
Nerves Focus Pressure
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) Build confidence one step at a time Recognize strengths, try manageable challenges, and respond kindly when confidence dips.
Confidence Self 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) Winning, losing, and learning A child-friendly introduction to competition, mistakes, and asking adults to ease excessive pressure.
Mistakes Pressure Teamwork
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) Choose words that help your next action Notice your inner commentary and prepare useful, specific phrases for the next play.
Self talk Focus Confidence
For: Athletes and coaches
About this source Original article: 8 Ways to Improve Your Self-Talk for Better Performance
Link checked Oct 12, 2026. This is a Field & Ice content check, not a clinical endorsement.
Read original article : 8 Ways to Improve Your Self-Talk for Better Performance (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.
Mistakes Confidence Support
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.
Motivation Burnout Balance
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) Be the teammate you would want beside you Examples of supporting teammates, respecting opponents, and telling an adult about hurtful behavior.
Teamwork Communication Bullying
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) 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.
Communication Support Teamwork
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.
Balance Pressure Focus
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 feelings Confidence Support
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.
Sleep Balance Recovery
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) Let your breathing feel comfortable Try gentle breathing at an easy pace, with comfort taking priority over a target count.
Nerves Focus Pressure
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.