Every parent has been there: watching their child pace nervously before a big game, seeing the worry on their face, and feeling helpless to fix it. As both a sports psychologist and a parent, I've spent years studying how to transform that pre-game anxiety from a burden into a superpower.

The truth? Those butterflies in your child's stomach aren't the enemy—they're jet fuel for peak performance. But only if you know how to use them.

Anxiety before a big competition isn't a problem—it's a tool.

Most parents see their child’s pre-game nerves as something to fix. They try to calm them down, reassure them, or even tell them to “just relax.” But what if anxiety wasn’t something to eliminate? What if it was the key to performing at their best?

When kids learn to work with their anxiety instead of against it, they gain a powerful mental edge. Parents can play a huge role in making this happen.

By the time you finish reading this piece, you’ll know why pre-competition anxiety happens, how to shift your child’s mindset, and three strategies to turn nerves into confidence.

I’ve worked with top athletes, coaches, and parents, and I’ve seen firsthand how small mindset shifts can change everything.

Let’s dive in.

Many kids (and parents) see anxiety as a red flag—a sign something is wrong. But science tells us something........

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