Youth Inc. with Greg Olsen Steve Magness on the Mental Side of Youth Sports and Peak Performance
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Sep 23, 2025 
Steve Magness, an author and performance coach known for his work on mental resilience in sports, shares his expertise in this engaging discussion. He emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation and supportive coaching over punitive methods for youth athletes. They cover strategies for balancing internal and external motivation, the benefits of focusing on the process instead of outcome goals, and the necessity of allowing kids to face failures to develop coping skills. Magness also highlights the value of unstructured play and protecting time for rest.
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Supportive Standards Build True Toughness
- Harsh punishment creates fear-driven compliance, not lasting motivation or grit.
- Build intrinsic motivation by challenging kids while giving support to try and fail safely.
Combine High Standards With Care
- Set high standards and hold athletes accountable while showing you care and will help them improve.
- Remind kids you push them because you believe in their potential, not to punish them.
Authoritative Approach Wins
- Effective coaching mirrors authoritative parenting: high demandingness plus high responsiveness.
- Avoid extremes of permissiveness or harshness; both harm long-term development.
