Mistakes are part of every athlete’s experience, whether your daughter is just starting out in sports or she’s been competing for years.

The way she handles those mistakes, though? That can make all the difference in how much she enjoys the game, how well she plays, and how confident she feels, both on and off the field.

In this second part of the Summer Confidence Series, I’m sharing the one skill that helps girl athletes recover from mistakes quickly. And no, it’s not just about telling her to “shake it off.” (That rarely works, right?) It’s a skill we teach inside our program The Elite Mental Game, and today, I’ll walk you through it step by step.

Mistakes Aren’t Going Anywhere (But Your Daughter Doesn’t Have to Stay Stuck)

We know our daughters are going to make mistakes. It’s part of growing, competing, and honestly, living. But if she doesn’t have a way to recover quickly, one mistake can snowball into a bad game, a rough week, or even a season filled with doubt.

Here’s the truth: The athlete that can move through mistakes fastest has the greatest competitive advantage, and honestly has the most fun.

Letting mistakes linger too long affects everything: her body language, how she interacts with her teammates, and her ability to take risks. And if she’s still replaying a bad moment days later? That’s a clear sign she needs a better system.

Why “Just Shake It Off” Doesn’t Work

As parents, it’s natural to want to help. So, we tell her, “It’s just a mistake,” or “Don’t worry about it.” But there’s a reason that doesn’t always land.

The brain’s #1 job is to keep us safe and that includes psychological safety. When your daughter makes a mistake, her brain often sees it as a threat.

“Will I disappoint my coach?”

“Will I get benched?”

“Do my teammates think less of me?”

These thoughts kick her nervous system into fight, flight, or freeze mode. Her breathing gets shallow. Her thoughts scatter. And more mistakes usually follow.

This is why it feels like nothing you say can “snap her out of it.” Her brain isn’t in a state where it can process your words. But the good news? She can learn to regulate herself with a skill we call the Snapback Routine.

The Three-Part Skill That Helps Athletes Bounce Back

Inside The Elite Mental Game, the very first skill we teach is how to bounce back in a snap. It’s not a mindset shift alone; it’s a routine that your daughter can practice and use in real time.

Here’s how it works:

1. Mindset Shift Around Mistakes. Confident athletes see mistakes differently. They know that failure isn’t something to avoid, it’s something that helps them grow. This mindset helps them play without fear, knowing that one bad play doesn’t define them.

Remember: Confidence doesn’t come from never making a mistake. It comes from having a personal process for recovering when you do.

2. Know Her Triggers. What throws your daughter off her game? A bad call? A harsh tone from a coach? A missed shot? She has to know what sets her off so she can plan her response.

Confident athletes recognize when they’re about to spiral and know how to pause and redirect.

3. The Snapback Routine. This is where the magic happens. The Snapback Routine includes:

• A calming breath to activate her “rest and reset” system.
• A reset word she’s chosen to remind her of how she wants to feel.
• A grounding signal, like snapping her fingers, adjusting her sock, or touching her ponytail, to help her get back in the zone.

She learns and practices this before the big games. That way, when she needs it, it’s already built into her system. She’s trained for this, just like she’s trained her physical skills.

Real-Life Examples of the Snapback in Action

One mom from our community messaged me during nationals: “Multiple parents have approached me and asked me to thank her for what she does on the court and sidelines. Whenever teammates get down, she lifts them back up, just like she does with herself when she needs it.”

That kind of leadership and presence? It starts with learning to bounce back herself.

Another athlete, Coco, had a fall during her gymnastics routine. She got back up, finished strong, and didn’t let it ruin the rest of her meet. She was able to regulate, reset, and move on, not just physically, but mentally.

And that’s the goal. Not perfection, but confidence, even after the fall.

It’s a Skill for Life, Not Just Sport

This isn’t just about what happens during the game. Athletes in our program use their snapback routine before tests, during tough social moments, or anytime anxiety creeps in. Because once they’ve learned how to regulate themselves under pressure, that confidence carries everywhere.

Final Thoughts

Your daughter is going to make mistakes, that’s a given. But what she does with those mistakes is what matters most. Instead of staying stuck, spiraling, or losing confidence, she can learn to bounce back with strength and calm.

When she understands how to shift her mindset, recognize what sets her off, and use a simple, practiced routine to reset, she becomes the kind of athlete who isn’t just physically skilled, but mentally strong too. And that strength goes beyond the game. It shows up in the classroom, in friendships, and in how she carries herself through life. The good news? This is a skill she can learn. And when she does, it changes everything.

Ready to build your daughter’s confidence now? Check out our signature program, The Elite Mental Game. Summer is the perfect time to start and the link with your discount is in the show notes.

Let’s raise confident girls who know how to bounce back. You’ve got this, Mama. And so does she.

Episode Highlights: 

[00:00:00] Setting the Stage for Summer Confidence. Part two kicks off with the one skill your daughter needs to recover quickly after mistakes so she can stay confident and keep competing.

[00:01:24] Why This Matters: Mistakes Aren’t Going Anywhere. Mistakes are part of the game, and life. We’re talking about how your daughter can learn to handle them without getting stuck.

[00:02:00] Real Results from EMG Moms. A mom shares how her daughter’s mindset shift helped her stand out; not just with performance, but leadership too.

[00:03:44] The First Skill We Teach Inside EMG. Athletes inside our program learn this recovery skill first, because it lays the foundation for everything else they’ll build.

[00:04:19] Your Athlete’s Competitive Edge. We break down how long athletes really have to shake off mistakes, and what it costs them when they don’t.

[00:05:44] Why the “Just Shake It Off” Advice Doesn’t Work. When her nervous system is in fight-or-flight, your daughter can’t just let it go. Here’s what’s really going on.

[00:08:00] The SNAP Framework: Mindset + Triggers + Routine. The SNAP process gives athletes a simple system to reset. First, they shift their mindset; confident athletes know mistakes are part of growth. Next, they get clear on what usually triggers them and prepare for it ahead of time. And finally, they build a snapback routine that includes a calming breath, a reset word, and a grounding movement. It’s short, specific, and helps them return to flow, fast.

[00:10:11] What the Snapback Routine Looks Like. From breathwork to sock pulls to custom reset words, this routine is personal and practiced—so they can use it when it counts.

[00:11:14] Coco’s Story: From Fall to Finish Strong. One gymnast mom shares how her daughter recovered from a fall mid-event and crushed the rest of her meet with confidence.

[00:12:42] From the Court to the Classroom. This skill isn’t just for sports; athletes are using it to handle tests, nerves, and social situations, too.

[00:13:47] What’s Coming Next in the Series. Next episode: how to help your daughter flip her negative thoughts and stop tearing herself down after games.

[00:14:41] Want to Go Deeper? Here’s How Grab the free training at trainhergame.com, or check out The Elite Mental Game with a special Summer Confidence Series discount.

Next Steps:

• Grab the free Summer Confidence Series PDF that goes along with all of the episodes! Get scripts, tips, and a recap of the episodes all in one place!
• Enroll in the Elite Mental Game with a 50% discount for our Summer Confidence Series through August 8th!

• 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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