The Power of Positive Self-Talk in Youth Sports
The Power of Positive Self-Talk in Youth Sports: What Mookie Betts Can Teach Our Kids
Championship Week Lessons for Little Leaguers, Parents, and Coaches
As Little League Championship Week kicks off, the spotlight often turns to stats, wins, and big plays. But some of the most important moments in a young athlete’s journey don’t show up on the scoreboard. They happen quietly — in the space between failure and recovery, pressure and performance, defeat and resilience.
They happen in the words our children speak to themselves.
MLB star Mookie Betts has talked openly about the power of positive self-talk in his career. And it’s not just a tool for the pros — it’s a skill that every child can develop, especially in the high-pressure world of youth sports.
Why Positive Self-Talk Matters
Confidence isn’t something kids are born with or without. It’s something that grows. And one of the strongest ways to nurture it is by helping them shape the voice in their head — the one that speaks up after a missed pitch, an error, or a tough game.
That voice can say:
“You blew it.”
“You’re not good enough.”
“Everyone’s disappointed in you.”
Or, with a little guidance, it can say something entirely different.
Teach Them to Say:
“I can do hard things.”
“I’ve got this.”
“Shake it off. I’ll get the next one.”
“I’m proud of how I played.”
“I belong here.”
These phrases may seem small, but they have big power. They not only help your child manage tough moments — they train their brain to recover, learn, and grow. That’s a skill that will serve them far beyond the field.
Positivity Is Contagious
Here’s what many parents and coaches don’t always realize: a child’s self-talk doesn’t just affect them — it impacts the entire team. When one player believes in themselves, their energy shifts. They show up differently. And that kind of confidence? It spreads.
Teammates notice when a player bounces back instead of melting down. They hear the “You got this” and start to echo it. They feel the difference when players root for each other instead of silently stewing in disappointment.
Positive self-talk builds resilient individuals — and stronger teams.
How Parents and Coaches Can Help
Model it. Let your child hear your positive self-talk — especially when things go wrong.
Praise effort, not outcome. “I loved how you kept trying” goes farther than “Great hit.”
Use a mantra. Create a phrase your child can repeat before games (like “Play hard, have fun, be kind”).
Don’t brush off emotions. Acknowledge the disappointment, then help reframe it. “That was tough. What can we learn from it?”
Final Thoughts
As you watch your child play their heart out this week, remember that wins and losses come and go. But the inner voice they’re developing? That’s what they’ll carry with them into high school, college, careers — and life.
So cheer loud. Offer encouragement. And help them build a voice that says:
“I’m enough. I can grow. And I’ve got this.”
You’ve got this. And so do they.