Benched by anxiety: Rethinking coaching, confidence, and childhood potential

This article addresses a call for understanding anxiety in youth sports from the perspective of an occupational therapist, academic researcher, and parent.

As both an OTP and academic researcher, I have studied the neurobiology of stress, human performance, and occupational engagement. However, nothing could have prepared me for the anguish of watching my own son be consumed by anxiety. His anxiety was not simply an internal condition, but a response that was amplified by external voices of authority. Recently, his coach told him he was not trusted on the floor because of his anxiety. This statement was not a neutral observation; it was a projection of negative self-worth that pierced his developing identity. Witnessing the light in his eyes dim and his belief in himself fracture compels me to ask: When will we stand up? When will we collectively reject stigmatizing practices in youth sports and instead cultivate environments where children are nurtured and supported?