Mental Training with Youth Sport Teams: Developmental Considerations and Best-Practice Recommendations

Abstract

Working with youth athletes requires knowledge of the inherent variability in child and adolescent development that will impact the implementation of a mental training program. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of developmental considerations that should be noted when doing mental training, particularly for athletes participating in sport at mid-childhood, early adolescence, and mid-adolescence. Sex differences at these stages of development are also highlighted. Additionally, we forward best-practice recommendations and learning activities that have been tailored for each developmental stage that can be used in the provision of a mental training program in a team setting.

KEYWORDS:

• mental training
• player
• services
• youth athlete

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Thank you to Sara Achrati, M.S., Research Associate at The George Washington University, School of Public Health & Health Services, Department of Exercise Science, for her contributions to the careful editing of this article.