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As parents, we often think about ways to help our high-performance young athletes succeed, from how to help them with training and nutrition to providing them with the resources they need when it comes to equipment, transportation, and money. One of the items that’s typically addressed less frequently but is equally important is how we are supporting our high-performance athletes mentally as well as how our behavior could be impacting them. Head of Mental Conditioning at IMG Academy, Duncan Simpson, PhD, CMPC, was at the Dunlop Courtside Chats Series to talk about supporting our tennis training athletes’ mindsets from the sidelines:
Prior to the Match
Think about helping to enhance your son’s or daughter’s readiness, concentration, control, composure, and consistency prior to their match.
During the Match
There are ways for you, the parent, to behave that will help you support your athlete during competition.
After the Match
Think about helping to enhance your son’s or daughter’s coachability, attitude, adaptability, confidence, and motivation after their match.
Things to Remember
Before you speak to your child about their athletic performance, there are three questions you should ask yourself:
Be mindful of your child’s particular needs before, during, and after a match, and keep these questions in mind before speaking to them (even if your intentions are good).
Helping Your Child Strengthen Their Mental Toughness
Outside of competition day, you can help your child develop and strengthen their mental toughness. Mental toughness is a complex psychological construct, as almost every desirable psychological characteristic has been categorized under mental toughness at one time or another. Simpson says that some of the most common attributes that mentally tough athletes possess are:
Try These Activities with Your Child
Simpson suggests having your child write down the four categories listed below, and then you can work with them to list the mental skills that are needed for each of those skills. For example, a marathon runner might write “regulating emotions, self-belief, awareness, and control of thoughts” under the “competition” category. Overlap within the categories is okay!
Another activity that you and your child can do is to write down the five categories below, and then identify what their strengths and weaknesses are under each category. Once you have created these lists, have your child write “WHO I AM” on another sheet of paper. They will then write about who they are as a person, incorporating the lists they just generated. This tactic will help you and your child gain insight into their personal mental toughness.
Parents are a critical part of the high-performance athlete’s “team.” Just as their coach is critical to growing their physical game, you are an important part of them developing a healthy mindset when it comes to competing. Additionally, the tennis training instructors and staff at IMG Academy can help your child to develop both physically and mentally to become the best athlete possible. It is important to remember, however, that developing mental toughness is a commitment that your child will need to make to shape the values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and self-regulation skills we discussed in this blog. Simpson reminds us that it is a process that takes time, and some athletes will develop these traits with ease, while others will have to work harder at it.
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