Written by Stefan Peter, Pro Soccer Mindset Coach
Stefan Peter is a mindset expert for pro soccer players, teams, and coaches. He's the creator of the Emotionset Method, helping athletes overcome mental and emotional challenges to unlock what he calls "Performance-Joy”.
As a parent, you want the best for your child, not just in sports but in school and life, too. You want them to be confident, focused, and resilient in the face of challenges. But as young athletes chase their dreams, pressure starts to build. They begin to fear failure, disappointing others, or not being good enough. This fear can hold them back not only in sports but also in academics and personal growth.
The good news? A strong mindset can be trained just like physical skills. Top players like CR7, Erling Haaland, Virgil van Dijk, and others remind us regularly how important the mental aspect is. They even show their own mindset training routines on their social media. But in my opinion, mental training should not only be for the superstars, because I know how much a growth mindset can help young athletes develop confidence, focus, and the ability to better handle mistakes, skills that will serve them for life.
The hidden danger of goal setting
1. Set goals for the right reasons
Goals are important, but they can also create pressure and stress if they come from the wrong place. Ask your child why they want to achieve a certain goal:
I want to be my school’s top goal scorer because.
I want to go pro because.
Are these goals truly theirs, or do they feel pressure from coaches, teammates, or even family? As parents, it’s easy to unintentionally pass our own dreams onto our kids, like my dad used to do for most of my youth. Having open, honest conversations about their goals can help them feel supported rather than pressured.
The biggest roadblocks to success
2. Identify what’s holding them back
Even talented young athletes can struggle with subconscious fears, such as:
Fear of failure
Fear of not being good enough
Fear of disappointing others
These fears can sabotage confidence and performance. Helping your child recognize and talk about these feelings can make all the difference in shifting their mindset from one of fear to one of growth. Especially after games, instead of giving them tips or criticizing them, ask how they feel and simply listen.
Managing distractions & habits for success
3. Build strong daily habits
Distractions and poor habits can be just as damaging as negative thinking. A few key areas to focus on:
Healthy eating habits: Nutrition fuels performance. Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t drink soda because he knows it affects his game.
Time management: How much time does your child spend on social media instead of training or studying?
Daily reflection: Encouraging your child to reflect on what went well and what could improve fosters self-awareness and growth.
The power of stillness & mental recovery
Bonus tip: Teach them to be still
One of the most powerful tools for young athletes is learning to quiet their minds. Meditation, deep breathing, or simply taking a quiet walk can help them manage stress and stay focused under pressure. The brain is the body’s biggest energy consumer, and constant overthinking drains mental and physical performance.
Encourage your child to take 10-15 minutes a day to unplug and reset. This small habit can make a huge difference in their ability to concentrate, handle mistakes, and perform at their best. The Pro athletes I work with, including Mak Whitham and Samantha Rosette, meditate every day.
Helping your child succeed in sports, school, and life
Mindset training isn’t just for elite athletes; it’s a game-changer for any young person who wants to improve their confidence, focus, and resilience. Whether they’re aiming for a college scholarship or simply looking to enjoy their sport more, these mental skills will set them up for success far beyond the field.
If you’re looking for expert mindset coaching tailored to young athletes, reach out today and learn more about my soccer mindset group classes starting May 2025. Together, we can help your child unlock their full potential in sports, school, and life.
Stefan Peter, Pro Soccer Mindset Coach
Stefan Peter is an expert in mindset and personality development. He holds a master's Degree in Sports Health and Leadership and works mainly with international pro soccer players, teams, and coaches. He is the creator of the Emotionset Method, a revolutionary 29-day Program to help athletes overcome mental and emotional limitations and to help them unlock their bigger picture in life. His own struggles as a young athlete, especially after the death of his father, inspired him to become a coach and a mentor to athletes facing similar mental and emotional challenges. He believes in creating environments where elite high performers can also embrace joy, passion, and purpose on and off the pitch, shifting away from solely fighting against each other and the constant "no pain, no gain" mentality.
