Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus: Mental Performance Training for Youth Athletes

Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to mental performance training (MPT) for youth athletes. Participants will learn foundational skills to improve their focus, confidence, emotional regulation, and overall performance through engaging lectures, activities, and discussions. Each week includes three lectures, focusing on the science, practical application, and implementation of key skills, as well as a fun learning activity and a quiz.

Course Goals

By the end of the course, participants will:

  1. Understand the basics of mental performance training.
  2. Develop practical skills to enhance focus, confidence, and resilience.
  3. Create a personalized mental performance plan.

Materials Needed

  • Journal or notebook
  • Pen or pencil
  • Printable templates provided for each learning activity

Weekly Schedule

Week 1: Introduction to Mental Performance

  • Lecture 1: The History and Science of Mental Performance Training (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 2: Developing a Growth Mindset (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 3: Applying a Growth Mindset in Training and Competition (10–12 min)
  • Learning Activity: Create a "Growth Mindset Reflection" by identifying areas for improvement and strategies to embrace challenges.
  • Quiz: Key concepts of mental performance and growth mindset.
  • Discussion Question: How can adopting a growth mindset help you improve in sports and life?

Week 2: Goal Setting and Motivation

  • Lecture 1: The Science Behind Goal Setting (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 2: SMART Goals and Their Application in Sports (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 3: Integrating Goal Setting into Training and Daily Life (10–12 min)
  • Learning Activity: Write a SMART goal plan and a weekly habit tracker.
  • Quiz: Elements of effective goal setting.
  • Discussion Question: What motivates you to perform your best, and how can goal setting help sustain that motivation?

Week 3: Building Awareness

  • Lecture 1: The Science of Self-Awareness (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 2: Identifying Triggers and Crafting Pre-Performance Routines (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 3: Incorporating Self-Awareness into Practice and Competitions (10–12 min)
  • Learning Activity: Create a "Self-Awareness Map" to identify strengths, areas for growth, and triggers.
  • Quiz: Understanding self-awareness and its benefits.
  • Discussion Question: How can self-awareness impact your athletic performance?

Week 4: Focus and Concentration

  • Lecture 1: The Neuroscience of Focus (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 2: Practical Strategies to Improve Concentration (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 3: Building Focus Drills into Daily and Weekly Training (10–12 min)
  • Learning Activity: Design a "Focus Plan" with strategies to stay present during games.
  • Quiz: Key terms and techniques for improving focus.
  • Discussion Question: What are your biggest distractions during practice or competition?

Week 5: Emotional Regulation

  • Lecture 1: Managing Stress and Anxiety in Sports (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 2: Techniques for Staying Calm Under Pressure (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 3: Practicing Emotional Regulation in Training Scenarios (10–12 min)
  • Learning Activity: Complete an "Emotion Regulation Worksheet" with calming techniques.
  • Quiz: Recognizing and managing emotions effectively.
  • Discussion Question: What situations in sports make you most nervous, and how do you manage them?

Week 6: Confidence and Self-Talk

  • Lecture 1: Understanding the Role of Confidence in Performance (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 2: Reframing Negative Self-Talk into Positive Affirmations (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 3: Building Confidence and Positive Self-Talk into Routines (10–12 min)
  • Learning Activity: Create a "Confidence Journal" with affirmations and reflections.
  • Quiz: Understanding self-talk and its impact.
  • Discussion Question: How do you build confidence before a game?

Week 7: Visualization and Mental Imagery

  • Lecture 1: The Science Behind Visualization (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 2: Creating Effective Mental Rehearsal Scripts (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 3: Implementing Visualization into Practice and Games (10–12 min)
  • Learning Activity: Develop a "Visualization Script" for a specific skill or game scenario.
  • Quiz: Key steps in mental imagery.
  • Discussion Question: How can visualization improve your performance in sports?


Week 8: Developing a Personalized Mental Performance Plan

  • Lecture 1: Reflecting on Progress and Lessons Learned (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 2: Crafting a Sustainable Mental Performance Routine (10–12 min)
  • Lecture 3: Designing and Applying Your Mental Performance Plan (10–12 min)
  • Learning Activity: Create a "Mental Performance Playbook" summarizing key strategies learned.
  • Quiz: Reviewing all course content.
  • Discussion Question: What mental performance skills will you continue to practice and why?


Complete and Continue