Cracking the Code: How to Give Feedback to Competitive Youth Athletes without Destroying Confidence with Tami Matheny

In this episode, I sit down with Tami Matheny, a renowned Mental Game Coach, author, and certified Jon Gordon trainer, to explore one of the trickiest aspects of youth sports: giving feedback to competitive kids. Tami draws on her deep experience working with athletes across a wide range of sports—including soccer—to offer practical, research-backed advice for parents and coaches alike.We dive into:The fine line between encouragement and pressureHow to tailor your feedback based on your child’s personality and mindsetWhy confidence is the foundation of performance—and how you might be unintentionally undermining itThe right (and wrong) time to give feedback after gamesSpecific strategies for helping young athletes want to hear and apply your feedbackTami also shares her personal story of struggling with confidence as a young athlete and how that journey sparked her passion for helping others master the mental side of sports. Whether you're a parent on the sidelines or a coach on the field, this episode will give you a new lens for supporting your athlete’s growth.