Butterflies before the whistle. Tight shoulders before the serve. A racing heart before the buzzer. For many young athletes, game day nerves are a familiar—and often frustrating—part of competing.
But feeling nervous before a performance isn’t a sign of weakness. In fact, it’s completely normal. What separates strong performers from the rest isn’t whether they get nervous—it’s how they respond to those nerves.
With the right mental training, athletes can learn to manage pressure, stay focused, and compete with confidence. At Southeast Psych Nashville, we work with athletes in Brentwood, Forest Hills, Green Hills, and Belle Meade to build the mental skills that not only improve performance but support overall mental health and resilience.
Why the Mental Game Matters
For athletes at any level, the physical aspect of sport is only part of the equation. The mental game—the thoughts, emotions, and mindset behind every movement—can determine how an athlete performs under pressure.
This is especially true for young athletes, who are still learning how to manage stress, expectations, and mistakes. Without tools to handle these challenges, even the most talented players can find themselves overwhelmed or discouraged.
That’s where sports psychology comes in. It teaches athletes how to:
- Stay present and focused
- Develop mental toughness
- Reduce anxiety and manage nerves
- Replace negative self talk with positive self talk
- Bounce back from mistakes
Core Mental Skills Every Young Athlete Should Learn
Here are five essential mental skills we help young athletes develop—skills that make a difference not just on game day, but in life.
- Staying in the Present Moment
Anxiety often comes from worrying about what might happen—missing the shot, disappointing the team, or making a mistake. The antidote? Focusing on the present moment.
Techniques like breathing exercises, mindfulness, and pre-performance routines help athletes stay grounded and reduce distractions. When athletes are tuned into the now, they’re more likely to play with clarity and control.
Serving Green Hills, Brentwood, Forest Hills, and Belle Meade, we help athletes learn how to mentally “reset” and re-engage when nerves or frustration creep in.
- Building Confidence
Building confidence is about more than just believing you’ll win. It’s about trusting your preparation, focusing on effort over outcome, and knowing you can handle whatever comes your way.
Confidence grows through repetition, visualization, and small wins. When athletes practice seeing themselves succeed, their brain learns what success feels like—making it easier to access in the heat of competition.
We help young athletes create confidence-building routines, so they walk into every game feeling mentally prepared and emotionally steady.
- Managing Pre-Game Nerves
Nerves aren’t the enemy—poor preparation is. Pre-game routines give athletes a structure to manage the mental chaos that often shows up right before a big moment.
A solid routine might include:
- Deep breathing or grounding exercises
- Visualization of game scenarios
- Repeating calming or empowering phrases
- Light stretching to release tension
By establishing a mental rhythm, athletes can reduce anxiety and transition into competition with focus and calm.
If your athlete struggles with nerves on game day, we offer customized mental coaching for families in Belle Meade, Green Hills, Brentwood, and Forest Hills.
- Shifting Negative to Positive Self Talk
Negative self talk—“I always mess up,” “I’m not good enough,” “Everyone’s counting on me”—can unravel confidence in seconds.
We teach athletes how to recognize those thoughts and replace them with positive self talk that’s realistic and motivating:
- “I’ve trained hard and I’m ready.”
- “I can recover from mistakes.”
- “One play at a time.”
This doesn’t mean pretending everything’s perfect. It means choosing a mindset that supports growth and composure.
- Building Long-Term Mental Toughness
Mental toughness isn’t about never feeling pressure. It’s about staying committed and composed despite the pressure.
Young athletes develop this trait over time by:
- Pushing through setbacks
- Embracing challenges
- Taking responsibility for effort, not just outcomes
These lessons extend far beyond the field. They build resilience, character, and confidence that young people carry with them in school, friendships, and future careers.
Supporting the Whole Athlete
Performance pressure can take a toll, especially for kids who tie their self-worth to their success in sport. That’s why we always approach mental skills training with mental health in mind.
Our work with athletes in Brentwood, Forest Hills, Green Hills, and Belle Meade is rooted in respect, support, and a whole-person approach. We don’t just focus on stats—we focus on the person behind the performance.
Our Team Neuropsychologist: Dr. Ryan Bennett
Dr. Ryan Bennett is a Clinical Neuropsychologist at Southeast Psych Nashville who specializes in working with athletes on performance, mindset, and emotional resilience. Board Certified in Assessment Psychology, Dr. Bennett combines sports psychology principles with clinical expertise to help athletes develop focus, confidence, and mental toughness. In addition to his clinical work, he serves as a professor and mentor, and frequently writes about performance psychology and youth mental health. He is passionate about supporting the whole athlete—not just their stats.
Ready to Strengthen the Mental Side of the Game?
If your athlete is ready to take their performance—and confidence—to the next level, we’re here to help.
At Southeast Psych Nashville, we provide tailored mental training for athletes of all ages. Whether it’s managing nerves, overcoming a slump, or preparing for the next level of competition, our work is designed to make a lasting impact.
Reach out today to learn more about how we support athletes and families across Brentwood, Forest Hills, Green Hills, and Belle Meade—and let’s build the mental skills that fuel success on and off the field.
