Sports Psychology for Young Athletes

Sports Psychology for Kids:
Build the Mental Game That Wins

Your child looks great in practice but then freezes, melts down, or quits when competition gets real. That gap between practice performance and game performance is a mental game problem, not a talent problem. Sports psychology for kids closes that gap.

Dr. Patrick Cohn, PhD, and his team of coaches has spent 40+ years helping young athletes in 30+ sports build the confidence and mental toughness to perform under pressure. Whether your athlete is 8 or 19, struggling with nerves, mistakes, or low confidence, these programs are built for them — and for you as a sports parent.

Three Ways to Strengthen Your Athlete’s Mental Game

1. One-on-One Mental Coaching for Young Athletes

Athletes who struggle in competition and who lose focus after a mistake, choke under pressure, or talk about quitting are showing the signs of an under trained mental game. Talent alone won’t solve it. Direct mental coaching will.

Our certified mental coaches work with each athlete privately to identify what’s blocking performance and build the specific mental skills — confidence, composure, focus that carry from practice into competition. Sessions are conducted by phone or video, so location is no barrier.

Monthly Packages start at $700-$600/month. See coaching options and book a free consultation.

2. Sports Psychology Audio Programs & Workbooks

Dr. Patrick Cohn and Lisa Cohn created the Confident Sports Kid series for parents and coaches who want a structured, self-paced path to better mental skills — without the cost of private coaching.

Each program includes a mental training audio download and workbook for the athlete, plus a separate audio program and training guide for parents and coaches. You get both sides of the equation. Athletes learn the skills. Parents learn how to reinforce them.

Programs start at $89. Browse the full Confident Sports Kid series.

3. Free Mental Game Report & Weekly Tips

Download the free report 10 Mental Game Strategies for Confident Young Athletes and get weekly tips on sports parenting and youth mental performance. You’ll learn:

• The single mindset shift that boosts a kid’s confidence faster than extra practice.
• How athletes can let go of mistakes instead of carrying them into the next play.
• Why so many athletes perform well in practice but struggle in games — and how to close that gap.
• The mental strategies top youth athletes use to stay composed under pressure.

Free for sports parents. Download the Free Confidence Report.

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What Parents and Athletes Say

“She’s in a Much Better Place”

“Thank you so much Jaclyn! She is really enjoying meeting with you. She seems to be in a much better place with the coaching. Her tryout wasn’t perfect, and that was ok. She had a few mistakes, recovered and hit. That is a HUGE improvement. And afterward she felt good. That is what matters to me. She didn’t give up, and then hate herself for it. We are very thankful to find you and appreciate all your help!”*
~Jean English – Cheer parent

“She’s Really Enjoying Your Sessions”

“I think this is good for Avery! I thought she did well when she played her sister and we watched. That’s a lot of pressure to do for her! My kids are beyond competitive with each other. I think she also puts pressure in herself because of it. Avery beat her easily which physically is easy for her to do but not mentally. I saw growth with that. Again, she’s really enjoying your sessions. I’ve noticed a difference in Avery as a person. She seems happier and less stressed about life. I think you’ve really helped her to do this!”*
~Jenn Sager – Tennis parent

“Doing Much Better Controlling His Emotions”

“Owen has been doing much better controlling his emotions in practice and games. I still see the occasional eye/head roll but he seems to be getting over the issues faster.”*
~Brandon Bergin – Soccer parent

• Read testimonials from Peaksports’ athletes.
• Listen to success stories from mental coaching sessions.
• See athletes across 30+ sports who have worked with us.
• Browse all youth sports psychology programs.

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Common Questions About Sports Psychology for Kids

What is sports psychology for kids?

Sports psychology for kids is mental skills training that helps young athletes manage pressure, build confidence, recover from mistakes, and perform consistently in competition. It teaches the same focus and composure techniques used by elite adult athletes, adapted for younger developmental stages.

At what age can kids start mental game coaching?

Athletes as young as 7 or 8 can begin building basic mental skills like focus and positive self-talk. More structured one-on-one coaching is typically most effective for athletes 10 and older who are competing regularly and can reflect on their own performance.

Does sports psychology actually work for young athletes?

Yes. Research in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology consistently shows that mental skills training improves performance consistency, reduces competition anxiety, and increases athletes’ enjoyment of their sport. Our athletes typically report visible improvement within 4 to 6 sessions.

My child performs well in practice but falls apart in games. Can sports psychology help?

This is the most common situation we work with. The practice-to-competition gap is a mental game problem — usually tied to fear of failure, perfectionism, or a loss of trust in their own training. Mental coaching directly targets this pattern.

How does coaching work? Do we need to travel?

All coaching sessions are conducted by phone or video call. Athletes and parents from across the US and internationally work with a certified mental performance coach without any travel required.

What’s the difference between the coaching programs and the audio programs?

One-on-one coaching is personalized to your athlete’s specific situation. Our mental coaches identify the root issue and builds a custom plan. The audio and workbook programs cover the same core mental skills in a self-paced format, at a lower price point. Many families start with the audio programs and move to coaching when they want more direct support.

Ready to get started?
Call 407-909-1700
or Book a Free Consultation

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Disclaimer

*Testimonials found on this site are examples of what we have done for other clients, and what some of our clients have said about us. However, we cannot guarantee the results in any case. Your results may vary and every situation is different. No compensation was provided for these testimonials.