How to Help Young Players Deal With Baseball Fears and Anxieties

By Mike Posey

Does your child experience baseball fears and anxieties? Do you have a player that fails to perform in a game due to "stage fright"?

In youth baseball players often experience fear and anxieties which cause nervousness and often leave them unable to perform at their top ability. These anxieties can be a combination of fears in several areas such as ?


Fear of getting hit with the ball.
Fear of being injured.
Fear of striking out.
Fear of being made fun of.
Fear of failure.
Fear of being yelled at by adults or other players.
These fears are real to our kids even though we as adults may not recognize them.

The anxieties can keep a young player from relaxing and performing well. I have witnessed players with excellent abilities unable to perform in a game due to their anxieties or stage fright? During practices they are fine and play well, but when they get into a game they become overwhelmed with fear.

What causes this anxiety? Is it the crowd? Is it the noise level? Is it the opponent? Is it the child's perception of adults that are yelling instructions as being critical? Is it the fear of not being accepted?

Coaches and parents should recognize the symptoms of such anxieties and know how to deal with them. One of the problems we have as adults is trying to apply adult rationalization and reason with a younger child. This reasoning seems logical to us as adults, but to a young player, it doesn't erase their fears and anxieties. In fact, it may cause some frustration on the part of both the player and the parent/coach that can not get the child to relax and concentrate on the game.

Learn more about helping your child Overcome Their Game Anxieties and receive a FREE eTips Newsletter.

Mike Posey "CP"
Expert Baseball Tips
Baseball tips from a championship coach's perspective and experience, offering creative insights into helping others learn the game of baseball.

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