How do you know if your athlete is truly ready for mental training?

What’s the right age to start? And how do you get her excited about it when she’s not sure it’s for her? These are the questions so many sports parents ask themselves, and the answers might surprise you. Whether your daughter is just starting out or competing at high levels, mental training could be the key to unlocking her full potential – both on and off the field.

Let’s unpack the details and help you feel confident in guiding her toward success!

What Is Mental Training and Why Does It Matter?

Before we get to your questions, let’s talk about why mental training is such a game-changer for girl athletes. It’s not just about improving performance in sports. Mental training helps girls navigate the inevitable ups and downs of competition, school, friendships, and life. The skills they learn – like how to reset after a mistake, handle pressure, and build confidence – carry over into everything they do.

Here’s an example: One of the athletes in our program, Sheridan, shared how our daily mindset routine, the 3-2-1 Brave method, made her feel calmer not just during practice but in her day-to-day life too. Initially, Sheridan didn’t believe it, “When my mom roped me into this, I didn’t think it would work.” But after just a few sessions, she said, “I’m already seeing it help in day-to-day life as well. Thank you so much.” Her story is proof that with the right approach, even skeptical athletes can embrace mental training.

Now, let’s tackle the big questions.

When Is the Best Time to Start Mental Training?

A lot of parents ask me, “Is my daughter too young?” or, “Should I wait until she’s struggling?” The short answer? Start as early as possible.

For our program, we focus on athletes aged 11 to 18. Why? Around age 11, girls are typically transitioning into higher levels of competition, and their confidence can take a hit. Physical changes like growth spurts and hormonal shifts can throw off coordination, and increased pressure leads to more self-comparison. This makes 11 to 12 a prime time to introduce formal mental training.

That said, the seeds of mental resilience can (and should) be planted earlier. For my own kids, I started teaching simple techniques like deep breathing, positive self-talk, and visualization when they were as young as 5 or 6. These early lessons make it easier for them to build on those skills when they’re ready for more structured programs.

And if your athlete is older, say 16 or 17, don’t worry – it’s never too late! In fact, by high school, mental training can become a competitive edge. Athletes at this level face tougher competition and higher expectations, so having tools to manage mistakes, pressure, and setbacks is critical.

How Do You Know If Your Athlete Needs Mental Training?

Honestly, every athlete can benefit from mental training, whether she’s struggling or thriving. But if you’re looking for signs that she might need extra support, here are some red flags:

• Perfectionism. She focuses on the one or two mistakes she made rather than celebrating what she did well.
• Spiraling. She has trouble recovering from mistakes, letting them snowball into poor performance.
• Hesitation. She holds back during games and doesn’t play as freely or confidently as she does in practice.
• Comparisons. She constantly compares herself to teammates or competitors, which eats away at her confidence.

These struggles aren’t just limited to sports. They often show up in school, friendships, and other areas of life too. That’s why addressing them through mental training is so powerful.

How Do You Get Your Athlete to Buy In?

Here’s the truth: Telling your daughter she needs mental training because she “lacks confidence” or “needs to work on her mindset” isn’t going to fly. No one wants to feel like they’re being singled out for a “problem.” Instead, approach the conversation in a way that connects mental training to her goals.

For example, if she’s aiming to make varsity or play in college, you might say:

“You’ve dedicated a ton of time to basketball. I can tell you really love it. You really want to go far. I’m here to help and support you in your goals. And because you’ve said you want to play in college or make the varsity team, I think that the mental side of the game is something we can hone in on to allow you to reach your goals.”

If she’s motivated by challenges, frame it like this:

“You said you want to be the best ball handler on your team. The best athletes in any sport do more than just physical training.”

Another strategy? Let her hear about mental training from someone else. Play a podcast episode featuring an athlete she admires or share a video of her favorite Olympian talking about how mental training helped them succeed. Sometimes hearing it from a peer or role model is all it takes.

And if she’s still hesitant? Don’t push. You can always model the skills yourself and talk about the impact they’ve had on you. When she’s ready, she’ll come around.

How Quickly Can You See Results?

In our program, athletes typically start seeing results within the first week. Phase 1 focuses on a snapback routine, a tool designed to help athletes recover from mistakes in seconds. This quick win builds their confidence and motivates them to keep going.

The entire program is broken into five phases, each building on the last. While the timeline varies, most athletes complete the program in about three months, spending just 30 minutes a week. The best part? The skills they learn stick with them long after they finish.

Mental Training Isn’t Just About Sports

Finally, let’s not forget the bigger picture. Sports are a mirror for life. If your daughter learns how to advocate for herself, take risks, and stay calm under pressure on the field, she’ll carry those skills into school, relationships, and eventually her career.

One mom in our program said it best:

“If she’s not advocating for herself in her sport, she’s probably not going to advocate for herself outside of her sport. She’s probably going to get taken advantage of. And if she’s not taking risks in her sport, she’s probably not going to take that risk or believe in herself that she could go after that scholarship or that job.”

Your Next Steps

If you’re ready to explore mental training for your athlete, check out our free live training sessions for sports moms at trainhergame.com. These sessions cover the do’s and don’ts of strengthening your daughter’s mental game and give you actionable steps to get started.

And if you’re curious about our Elite Mental Game program, here’s what you need to know: It’s a self-paced, interactive program designed for girl athletes aged 11 to 18. With tools, routines, and expert guidance, it helps girls build the confidence and mental resilience they need to succeed in sports and beyond.

Let’s work together to raise confident, mentally strong girl athletes who are ready to tackle anything life throws their way!

Episode Highlights: 

[00:00] Introduction to the episode and its focus on answering common questions about mental training for girl athletes.

[00:16] Listener Q&A begins with a breakdown of the most frequently asked questions about mental training and actionable advice for parents.

[00:35] An invitation to join free live trainings for sports moms at trainhergame.com. Learn how to support your athlete’s mental game with these exclusive sessions.

[01:00] A real-life success story featuring Sheridan, an athlete who used the 3-2-1 Brave mindset routine to improve her confidence and calmness both on and off the field.

[02:28] Addressing the common concern: “Will my daughter actually engage with mental training?” and sharing examples of how athletes respond to the program.

[03:34] Strategies to introduce mental training to athletes, making the process easier and more engaging for them.

[04:00] Question 1: “What is the best age to start mental training?” An exploration of why ages 11-12 are ideal, and how younger or older athletes can also benefit.

[05:42] Introducing foundational tools like breathing exercises and visualization to younger children as a way to build early resilience and focus.

[06:00] Why mental training becomes critical for older athletes (16+), helping them handle the increasing pressure of competitive sports.

[07:26] Question 2: “How do I know if my athlete is struggling with her mental game?” Key signs include perfectionism, spiraling after mistakes, and hesitating during competition.

[09:00] The broader impact of mental training: how it helps athletes develop confidence and resilience that extends beyond sports.

[11:02] Debunking the myth that confidence will come with the next milestone. Higher levels of competition require stronger mental skills to thrive.

[12:28] Question 3: “How quickly can results be seen?” The Snapback Routine in Phase 1 of the program provides immediate wins and boosts athlete engagement.

[14:00] Tips for presenting mental training to athletes in a way that inspires rather than discourages them. Practical strategies to connect training to their goals.

[17:53] The importance of small changes in parenting approaches and how they can positively impact an athlete’s confidence and mindset.

[18:53] Recap of the key questions addressed: when to start mental training, how to recognize readiness, and strategies for gaining athlete buy-in.

Next Steps:

• Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms – How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter’s Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

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