Want to be the best you can be? You've got to think it to win it! Contact John Ellsworth, Master Mental Game Coach and Sports Psychology Consultant. ProtexSports.com

1. John Ellsworth, MA • Protex Sports (www.protexsports.com)
Coaching the Perfectionistic
Young Athlete
Identify the traits that may be blocking confidence, performance
success, and enjoyment in sports for young athletes!
Copyright© 2011 by Protex Sports, LLC www.protexsports.com Page 1

2. Coaching the Perfectionistic Young Athlete
Athletes or parents who demand high levels of performance are rarely satisfied with
incremental levels of performance achievement because they set the standard of acceptable
performance extremely high. When the result is not achieved, they can be very self-critical and
display perfectionist traits. Perfectionistic athletes get frustrated easily after making mistakes,
engage in negative self-talk, are focused on results or outcomes, and rarely enjoy playing their
sport.
Although these athletes have an incredibly strong work ethic, are highly motivated, committed
to their goals, and want nothing more than to learn and improve, they cannot see the forest for
the trees. In fact, most athletes display some "perfectionistic" traits in their athletic careers.
Perfectionistic athletes are blocked from performing up to their abilities by their extremely high
demands for their performance with little room for error causing them to fear failure. They
worry too much about pleasing others, are anxious and stressed out or allow statistics and
winning to become most important. Perfectionists believe performance results are what make
them "good" human beings, and that others will respect them more if they perform to the
highest levels.
It is important to identify the traits that may be blocking confidence, performance success, and
enjoyment in sports. In a recent performance did you or your child want to win so bad that
the pressure and stress of this demand caused anxiousness at crucial points in the game? At
critical times, does the athlete play tentatively, with caution, and appear unsure about the next
move? Are you aware that trying too hard sabotages a performance? Is practice an exercise in
being perfect or in learning how to execute? Does the athlete practice hours and hours without
achieving success?
Parents or perfectionistic athletes who are uncomfortable with their performance levels try
too hard to adhere to the demands of others and set unrealistic goals for their individual level
of talent. The key is to replace these "demanding" expectations with simple, challenging, and
achievable process goals that enhance self-esteem, build confidence, and are designed to
improve performance incrementally.
If your athlete believes he or she should pitch to win every game, you might suggest the athlete
replace the demand "I must win every game" mind set with simple process oriented objectives:
1) Focus on the target every pitch,
2) Commit to being in the present one pitch at a time,
3) Believe you can execute each pitch.
Copyright© 2011 by Protex Sports, LLC www.protexsports.com Page 2