Improving Focus in Young Athletes During Practices and Games

Why This Topic Matters

Focus is one of the most important skills a young athlete can develop. It determines how well they listen to coaches, how quickly they process information, how effectively they perform under pressure, and how consistently they improve. Focus influences every part of the sport, from warmups to game situations to recovery between plays.

Children today navigate constant distractions. Screens, noise, fast paced entertainment, and competing demands all challenge their ability to stay present. Youth sports offer a structured environment where children can learn how to concentrate, block out distractions, and direct their attention toward what matters most in the moment.

When young athletes learn how to focus, they gain a competitive advantage in sports and a valuable skill for school, relationships, and future work. Focus strengthens discipline, decision making, and self-confidence. It helps them stay calm in chaotic situations and committed during difficult moments.

What Parents Notice Most

Parents notice when focus wavers. We see the child who becomes distracted during warmups, the one who misses instructions because their mind is elsewhere, or the athlete who loses concentration after a mistake. We see when excitement, nerves, or frustration take their attention away from the task at hand.

We also notice how difficult focusing can be when emotions rise. A child may struggle to listen after a bad play. They may rush through drills when they feel pressured. They may become overwhelmed by noise, movement, or internal stress. None of this means the child is unfocused by nature. It simply means they are still developing the skills needed to manage attention.

Parents also see positive signs. The athlete who listens carefully. The child who locks in before a play. The one who stays composed and aware even when the game becomes intense. These moments show that focus is growing and that children can learn to direct their attention effectively with practice and guidance.

The Parent’s Opportunity

Parents can play a powerful role in helping children strengthen their focus. The home environment, conversations in the car, and emotional tone surrounding sports all influence a child’s ability to concentrate. When we promote calm, simple, steady expectations, children learn to approach games and practices with a focused mindset.

Our opportunity is to teach children how to narrow their attention, block out distractions, and return to the moment when their mind wanders. We can help them learn that focus is not something they either have or do not have. It is something they build through repetition, patience, and awareness.

We can also create routines that support focus. These include pregame rituals, breathing patterns, simple reminders, and habits that signal the brain that it is time to concentrate. When parents reinforce these tools consistently, children begin to develop mental habits that improve performance and reduce anxiety.

Key Lessons for Athletes

1. Focus Is a Skill You Can Practice

It improves with repetition, just like any physical skill.

2. Stay Present

Thinking about past mistakes or future outcomes distracts from the action happening now.

3. Control What You Can

Listening, staying ready, and preparing mentally are within your control even when the game is unpredictable.

4. Use Small Cues to Refocus

A breath, a phrase, or a quick reset can pull attention back to the moment.

5. Focus Helps You Play with Confidence

When your mind is clear, your body performs more naturally and effectively.

Practical Ways Parents Can Reinforce This at Home

1. Create Calm Pre Game Routines

A steady routine before practices and games helps children transition into a focused state.

2. Encourage One Instruction at a Time

Break tasks into smaller pieces so children can concentrate without feeling overwhelmed.

3. Reduce Distractions Before Activities

Limit noise, screen time, or rushed transitions that make it harder to settle into concentration.

4. Teach Simple Focus Strategies

These may include:
• Deep breathing
• A short verbal cue such as Be ready or Right here
• A visual focal point

5. Discuss What Helped Their Focus

After a game, ask:
• When did you feel focused?
• What helped you stay locked in?
• What distracted you and how can you handle that next time?

Reflection improves awareness and skill development.

Closing Thought

Focus is not about perfection. It is about learning to direct your attention toward what matters in each moment. When young athletes develop strong focus, they become more coachable, more confident, and more consistent. They learn to think clearly under pressure and stay engaged even when challenges arise. With patient support from parents, children build the mental habits that strengthen both their performance and their character.

This article is part of the Trustworthy Guidance resource for parents navigating youth sports.
Learn more at www.trustworthyguidance.com