The Baseball Zone Blog

How Perfectionism Can Stifle a Young Baseball Player's Confidence

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Sport Psychologists often hear from baseball parents who worry about young baseball players who are too hard on themselves. You're likely familiar with these types of athletes. They're perfectionists. 

Perfectionist athletes criticize themselves for making mistakes, often hold very high expectations for themselves, and get frustrated easily after making mistakes.
 
On the positive side, these athletes typically have a strong work ethic, are committed to their goals, and want to learn and improve. In fact, most athletes display at least some 'perfectionist' traits from time to time.
 
It's not always easy for perfectionist athletes to perform up to their abilities. In fact, it is usually fruitless. When kids try to be perfect, they can undermine their own talents quickly. They hold strict expectations about their performance, are afraid of failing, and worry too much about results--statistics, goals scored or wins.
 
If your young athlete is a perfectionist, begin by identifying the traits that may be sabotaging his or her confidence in competition.
 
Does your child want to win so badly that he feels anxious? Is your athlete afraid of failing or losing? Does he or she play tentatively during games? Does your athlete try too hard and then over-control his or her performance?
 
Sport Psychology research has found that kids with high expectations—whether these expectations come from parents or from the kids themselves—are more likely to get angry. If they can’t achieve their own high standards, they get frustrated and angry.

One way to help these young athletes with high expectations is to tell them it’s okay to make mistakes. If they keep making the mistake, coaches and parents can try to find a different way to help the athlete such as watching a video, or having some more one-on-one time with the coach.

High expectations undermine players’ performance in many ways. If they become frustrated or angry, they don’t perform well. Their confidence suffers. To help kids with high expectations, start with your own expectations. Are they too high? Are you pushing on your children some of your own dreams?

One important task for you as a parent...
 
Parents with perfectionist athletes should help kids identify their high (often unrealistic) expectations about how they should perform. Then help your child replace these expectations with simple process goals.
 
For example, say your athlete believes he or she should throw every pitch perfectly. Suggest that your child replace his or her "I must throw every pitch perfectly" mindset with these simple process goals or objectives:

1. Pick the right target for each pitch

2. Be decisive

3. Be confident

4. Be committed

5. Let it go

Also, be careful what you tell them just before they perform (read this blog on Last Minute Tips). Even if you’re kidding when you say, “Go out there and score nine goals,” they might take you seriously and take this goal on as their own! It’s best to say, “Go out there and have fun.”

To learn more about how I can help your player(s) overcome the negative effects of perfectionism, among many other performance-related obstacles, contact me for a free mental performance consultation.  Just click the picture below.  Thanks for your time!

Jen Scorniaenchi BA, MS

Photos courtesy of www.crazykindalife.wordpress.com & www.mocoloco.com