One of the greatest rewards of coaching young athletes is watching them grow—not just in skill, but in confidence. When I step onto the field or into the gym, I remind myself that I’m not just teaching kids how to throw, hit, or run; I’m helping them believe in themselves. That belief, that inner confidence, is what will carry them through not only sports but also the bigger challenges of life.

But here’s the challenge every coach or mentor faces: how do you push kids to reach their potential without overwhelming them? How do you make them believe they can do more, while also making sure they don’t lose the joy that first brought them to the game? Over the years, I’ve learned that the answer lies in balance—being both a motivator and a supporter.

Confidence Comes from Small Wins

Kids need proof that they can succeed. Confidence doesn’t appear out of thin air—it’s built through experiences. That’s why I believe in setting small, achievable goals first. If a young pitcher can’t consistently hit the strike zone, I don’t start by demanding perfection. I start by asking them to focus on mechanics and celebrate when they throw two or three solid strikes in a row.

When they achieve those small wins, something shifts inside them. They realize, “I can do this.” And that’s when we can build momentum. Success becomes a stepping stone, and before long, they’re setting bigger goals and chasing them with determination.

The Art of the Push

Every young athlete has a comfort zone, and if we leave them there, they’ll never grow. My role is to gently—but firmly—push them past that limit. It might mean asking a kid to run one more sprint when they think they’re done, or encouraging a shy player to step into a leadership role on the team.

The key is to frame that push in a positive way. Instead of saying, “You’re not trying hard enough,” I say, “I know you’ve got more in you, and I believe you can do it.” That belief matters. When a coach shows faith in a young athlete, the athlete starts to believe in themselves.

Encouragement Over Criticism

Don’t get me wrong—athletes need to hear the truth about where they can improve. But the way we deliver that truth makes all the difference. Kids are sensitive; they internalize criticism quickly. If they hear, “You’re not good at this,” often enough, they’ll start to believe it.

Instead, I focus on constructive feedback. Rather than, “You’re missing every pitch,” I’ll say, “You’ve got good timing—now let’s work on keeping your eye on the ball.” That small shift in language encourages growth instead of shutting it down.

Teaching Resilience

Confidence isn’t just about winning—it’s about bouncing back when things don’t go well. That’s why I talk to my athletes about failure as part of the process. Every strikeout, every missed catch, every tough loss is an opportunity to learn.

I remind them that even professional athletes fail more often than they succeed. A great hitter in the major leagues still makes an out seven out of ten times. Once kids realize that mistakes aren’t the end of the world, they stop fearing them—and that’s when real confidence takes root.

Creating a Safe but Challenging Environment

One of the best ways to build confidence is to create a culture where kids feel safe to try, fail, and try again. If they’re worried about being embarrassed or yelled at, they’ll hold back. But when they know their coach and teammates support them, they’ll take risks.

At the same time, safety doesn’t mean comfort. My athletes know I’ll never let them quit on themselves. I’ll push them, but they also know I’m in their corner no matter the outcome. That mix—support and challenge—is what allows them to grow without losing their spirit.

Celebrating the Effort

Wins and statistics are great, but I’ve found that recognizing effort is even more powerful for young athletes. When I call out a kid who hustled on every play or stayed positive after a tough inning, I’m reinforcing values that last far beyond the scoreboard.

When kids see that effort is celebrated, they start to value the process over just the outcome. That builds a different kind of confidence—one rooted in hard work, persistence, and pride in giving their best.

Final Thoughts

Building confidence in young athletes is about so much more than teaching them how to play a sport. It’s about guiding them to see their own potential, even when they don’t see it themselves. It’s about pushing them past their comfort zones while making sure they feel supported and valued.

When we strike that balance, we not only help kids become better athletes—we help them become stronger, more resilient people. And to me, that’s the true win.