Youth athletes’ emotions can often be compared to a roller coaster ride: The highs are high and the lows… the lowest. Denying this is futile–and teaching a child how to handle their negative emotions can help them both in sports and in life.

When kids lose their cool, they lose focus, their anxiety increases, and the mind-body control needed for muscle memory can vanish. Learning to handle emotions is just as important to your child’s success as learning athletic skills. Here are four ways to help your youth athlete tackle negative emotions as they arise.

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