How to Overcome Fear & Anxiety in Youth Football

Participating in a sport like football can be intimidating for anyone but can be especially scary for younger children. Many youth football players have anxiety or fear at some point while playing the sport, even though they love playing the game and being part of the team. Parents and coaches are responsible for noticing any signs or symptoms of these things. They can then help their child cope better with anxiety and overcome these frightening feelings. Overcoming these fears and anxiety is important since team sports can be a positive experience for children and can help to boost their self esteem.

Instructions

    • 1

      Encourage your children to have fun playing football. Praise them often for their accomplishments and for doing their best. Keep your focus on the good things that happen in the game and the good things your children have done. Do not to put too much pressure on your children or yell at them during the games.

    • 2

      Take your children to all of their team's practices so that they can learn all of the rules and proper techniques to play the game. Creating a strong bond with their teammates and having good team spirit will help. Stick around and watch them so that they can see you are taking an interest. This will make them feel more comfortable, knowing you are there if they need you.

    • 3

      Teach your children some breathing exercises to help them relax before and even during the game. Anxiety can lead to physical distress and cause proper breathing to become difficult. Practicing with them can make a difference, and they will be able to utilize these exercises when they start feeling anxious. Learn the squeeze-and-breathe technique with your children to help them manage their breathing. Stand with your knees bent a bit, touch your tongue to the top of your mouth and relax your jaw. Relax your stomach and put your thumbs just over your kidneys and wrap your hands around your sides. Squeeze your sides gently as you breathe in through your nose while counting to four, and breathe out slowly while counting to eight. Do this several times while staying as relaxed as possible.

    • 4

      Encourage your children to visualize something pleasant or peaceful when they start feeling afraid or anxious. Thinking about being successful in the game can help to boost their confidence and calm their nerves. When the game becomes too stressful, just remind them to relax, have fun, and that winning is not everything.

    • 5

      Speak with the coaches and other parents about staying positive at all times as well. Make your children's coaches aware of your children's anxiety so that they can be prepared to help your children deal better with their anxiety and fear. Having understanding coaches can go a long way in helping make youth football more pleasant for your children.

    • 6

      Watch your children's symptoms to see if they are making any progress. If you are not seeing much progress, you may need to talk to your children's pediatrician for more suggestions. Sometimes it is necessary to consult with a pediatric psychologist for help. Ask your children if they truly enjoy playing football. They may just need a break from playing for awhile, or they might prefer trying another sport.