Mental Training for Young Athletes
MT for Young Athletes is a group program covering the athletes’ mental preparation. The program is intended for young athletes (aged 10 to 14 years) and is conducted by one or more mental trainers. The program lasts for 2 months, during which athletes go through 8 workshops that last 60 minutes each. The group size ranges from 8 to 12 athletes.
*Currently, it is conducted ONLY in collaboration with sports clubs.
What does Mental Training mean for young athletes?
This program is organized for athletes from one club/team or for a group of athletes from different sports. The program can be conducted either at the club’s facilities or at the Mental Training premises.
n the MT program for young athletes, they go through fundamental mental preparation techniques such as goal setting, emotional regulation, thought control, relaxation exercises, visualization, and focus points.
Between sessions, athletes practice the learned techniques and skills of Mental Training as a form of homework and work outside the workshops.
It helps children enjoy sports more.
Monitors their work and progress over 2 months.
Directs children to improve engagement in training.
Provides children with tools to help themselves when things get tough.
Teaches children a winning attitude.
Teaches children how to set goals correctly and maintain high-quality motivation.
Orients children towards positive sports habits.
Improves their self-confidence and performance in training and competition.
How has this practicum helped other young athletes?
"The atmosphere was great. It helped me concentrate during tournaments and get rid of stage fright. The focus points and rituals helped me the most. I also use rituals during training before sparring. But these techniques also help outside of sports, especially at school."
"Mental strength - a very important thing in life, but also in every sport. You learn how to find a solution, not a problem. Mental training will help you improve your mental strength. From my perspective, I am very satisfied. I advise this training to everyone!"
The education includes:
-
8 hours of education
-
All materials
-
Certificate upon completion of the education
"Observing the growth and development of my son, and witnessing the constant increase in responsibilities both at school and in his chosen sports activity, I realized that besides family support, my son also needed additional professional support. At that moment, we immediately began researching, and fortunately, we came across information about MT."
What is done in the program and why is it good for young athletes?
Some studies show that nearly 75% of children drop out of sports after the age of 13. Training becomes less enjoyable for children, and competitions bring stress that they don’t know how to cope with. Children perform much worse in competitions than in training – they lack the skills to control tension and concentration. Through unsuccessful and stressful competitions, children build a negative self-image and develop a lack of confidence.
Mental preparation
The program teaches fundamental mental preparation exercises such as relaxation techniques, visualization, goal setting, and many others.
Experience
Experiences are shared with athletes of similar age, and prejudices that problems only happen to them are broken down.
Learning
Through the program, learning from other athletes is facilitated through the sharing of experiences.
Trust
Confidentiality is developed within the group in a special way.
8 sessions
The program consists of 8 group Mental Training sessions, each lasting 60 minutes.
Connection
Better connection among athletes within the group is fostered.
"In life, as well as in sports, self-improvement plays an important role. Therefore, I consider working on mental preparation essential in key situations. I would recommend Mental Training, not to everyone, but to those who want to work on themselves and become better."
How to help your child become more successful in competitions?
Take a moment to complete our short questionnaire. Find out how to help your child become more successful in competitions.
How has this practicum helped other young athletes?
"It was excellent. I came without any expectations. There were plenty of exercises and materials that I can use in my work."
Who is the MT for children intended for?
For amateur, semi-professional, and professional athletes
The program is designed for amateur and semi-professional athletes who want to learn fundamental mental preparation skills. Children athletes aged 9 to 14 go through the MT program for children. The age group targeted by this program is the population of children entering the most critical years for quitting sports participation. Children at this age should either specialize as competitive athletes or recreational athletes.
Considering the organization of the sports system, recreational sports training is not the most developed branch. Often, during these years, parents and coaches notice that athletes put much more effort into training than into competitions. Motivation for competition often decreases, and soon after, motivation for training as well. Children in these years often struggle to cope with the challenges ahead of them.
How has this practicum helped other young athletes?
"I especially liked visualization, it helped me the most. I was injured while attending Mental Training. During rehabilitation, the techniques we worked on here also helped me a lot."
What do young athletes need to adopt to become "mentally strong"?
- Build confidence that transfers from training to competition.
- Manage their own high expectations, which lead to frustration, loss of focus during competition, and ultimately a lack of confidence.
- Focus on tasks that help them maintain a high level of concentration on the right things.
- Shift focus away from mistakes and defeats and redirect it to high engagement in training and competition.
- Manage unwanted thoughts and negative self-talk.
- Build confidence that transfers from training to competition.
Focus in key moments
Children learn to maintain concentration in decisive moments of competition and thus achieve better results.
Breaking personal barriers
Children learn about their own limits and how to surpass them.
Achieving set goals
Through personal development and learning, children achieve better results.
Calmness under pressure
They practice finding calmness during competitions.
Consistency of motivation
By focusing on well-set goals, children maintain high-quality motivation.
Performance orientation
With well-set competition goals and focusing on tasks that help achieve them, children achieve better results in competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions for MT for young athletes
Apply your child for the MT for young athletes
"*" indicates required fields
