Right From the Start: Mental Skills for Youth Athletes

The book Right from the Start is intended to introduce developing athletes to essential mental and behavioral skills that support personal growth and performance. Targeted primarily at youth and adolescent athletes and performers, this book also serves as a valuable resource for family members, coaches, and sport psychology professionals who play a crucial role in a young athlete's development and fostering a supportive environment for their athletes. The book is structured to provide clear and engaging explanations of foundational and performance-based skills. Through straightforward descriptions and relatable illustrations, young readers will learn about key mental skills and how to apply them in high pressure, performance situations. The book will introduce the reader to mental and behavioral skills and highlights the how they can impact performance. The core of the book is divided into four main sections, including: - Mental, Behavioral, and Social Skills - This section explores foundational skills such as goal setting, self-care, time management, motivation, and confidence. Then performance and regulatory skills like breathwork, mindfulness, self-talk, attention and focus, and visualization. Each skill is supported with practical tools, resources, and journaling exercises. - Competition Applications - Readers will learn how to apply these strategies in situations leading up to, during, and post-performance. There is also a section covering when athletes may be away from competition, such as in the off-season or injured. By linking skills across units and providing practical applications, Right from the Start equips young athletes with the tools to build confidence, resilience, and a strong mental foundation for success in sport and life.