Don’t More Reps Build Confidence in Youth Sports?

How to Mix Practice with the Mindset Stuff

Last week I was at batting practice with my daughter’s team, watching Sam crush swings like a pro. But guess what? Two strikes in the next game, and she froze; wouldn’t even step up to the plate like she usually does. All those extra reps hadn’t given her the confidence to shake off a slump.

Sound familiar? I used to think more practice = more confidence, until I dug into what the experts say. Bandura’s self-efficacy theory backs up that nailing reps helps, but it’s only one part of the puzzle. Without cheering, chatting through mistakes, and letting kids just play, that confidence can crack under pressure.

Quick fact:
About 70% of kids quit organized sports by age 13, mostly because it stops being fun after too many drills .

Why Practice Matters…But Isn’t Everything

Skills & muscle memory. You can’t replace the feeling of knowing you’ve “been here before.”
Visible wins. That little smile when they finally nail a move or skill? Gold.
Routine. Showing up week after week builds that “I’ve got this” vibe.

But practice confidence doesn’t always stick in game-mode unless they’ve got a stronger, “I’m more than my swing” foundation.

When Too Many Reps Backfire

Piling on extra lessons can:

Burn them out (and sometimes they quit altogether)
Tie their self-worth to a scoreboard
Turn sports into “work” instead of play

What I Mean by Core Confidence

Think of it like this:

Sport confidence = “I know I can hit that ball”
Core confidence = “I’m still awesome even if I miss”

Kids with core confidence shake off mistakes faster, learn from them, and keep smiling, even when they’re off their game.

How to Keep the Balance

Watch for burnout. Are they skipping practice or moody?
Mix in free play. Let them run wild, no coaches, no drills.
Talk it out. “What drill did you hate today?” “What was the most fun part?”
Cheer the effort. “I love how hard you tried”; win or lose.

Ready for a Quick Check?

Grab our one-page “Reps vs. Mindset” Checklist and see how you’re doing:

Spot early burnout
Balance drills with play
Build belief off the field
Keep the conversation open

👉 Download the “Reps vs. Mindset” Checklist »

https://foursup.io/blog/reps-vs-mindset-checklist
(Perfect for pinning on the fridge.)