Tag Mental Health

Inexperienced Coaching: Effects on Young Athletes

Inexperienced coaching in youth sports can have significant, long-lasting effects on young athletes. These consequences extend beyond athletic performance, influencing personal development, mental health, and readiness for real-world challenges. Understanding the ripple effects of underqualified coaching underscores the need for improved training and support to ensure youth sports fulfill their role in fostering positive growth.Lack […]

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Building a Team: Identifying Mental Health Champions

The mental health of athletes is a critical focus for modern sport organizations. However, fostering a mentally healthy environment requires a collective effort. At SPKN, we emphasize the importance of identifying and securing commitments from a diverse range of individuals who can contribute to mental health initiatives. Here’s how sport organizations can effectively build a […]

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Athlete Identity: The Importance of Sport Knowledge

Sport knowledge refers to the comprehensive understanding of the sport, it goes beyond knowing its rules, techniques, strategies, and includes historical context, social influences, and the science infused within it. When coaches possess in-depth knowledge of their sport, they become trusted sources of information and guidance for their athletes. This expertise helps shape the athlete’s identity, as they look up to their coach as a role model and mentor.

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Addressing Athlete Mental Health: A Coach’s Perspective

As experienced sport coaches invested in our player’s athletic and personal development, it’s crucial for us to recognize the significance of athlete mental health. We train our athletes physically to excel, but what about mentally and emotionally? How can our athletes reach their FULL potential without these being in optimal condition?  High-profile athletes have recently brought this issue to the forefront and now it is time to take action.

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Confidence is a Feeling, Competence is a Behavior

The difference between confidence and competence is stark, but not always visible. John O’Sullivan, aided by top performance psychologist Jonah Oliver, breaks down the differences and explores the potential to praise the competence of elite athletes while neutralizing stress, fear, or other performance detriments.

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