How Parents Can Support Athletes in the Second Half of the Season - Starting with the Mental Skills Stack
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As we move into the new year, many fall and winter sports are reaching a natural checkpoint. The holidays often mark the halfway point of the season - or at least a winter break - before athletes, and teams shift into the final push of the regular season and, eventually, playoffs. This is the moment when things start to change.
Physically, athletes return to training sharper and more focused. Mentally, however, many are expected to simply “flip the switch” and be ready. This is where support often falls short - and where mental performance coaching becomes especially valuable. As legendary coach Vince Lombardi once said: “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” Mental skills help athletes manage fatigue - not just in their bodies, but in their minds. Why the Second Half of the Season Is DifferentThe early part of the season is about learning and adjustment. The second half is about execution, consistency, and performing under pressure. Athletes are now facing:
Without mental skills, this stretch can lead to frustration, confidence dips, or burnout. With the right support, it can become the most productive and confidence-building part of the year. The Mental Skills StackThe stretch of the season we’re in now demands more than physical readiness. It exposes how well an athlete can manage their mind when fatigue accumulates, pressure rises, and mistakes feel heavier. Every athlete is unique and will use different mental skills to fit their identity. That is why every athlete needs to build their own mental skills stack as trainable performance tools. Like physical preparation, mental skills aren’t built all at once. They’re layered, practiced, and reinforced over time - especially during demanding periods of the season. Core mental skills like managing thoughts and emotions, mindset, focus, mental agility, self-talk, visualization, goal setting, routines, etc. directly influence how athletes respond in practices, games, and high-pressure moments. When these skills are underdeveloped, performance becomes inconsistent. When they’re trained intentionally, athletes become more stable, adaptable, and reliable under stress. The reality is every high level athlete has their own mental skills stack. What is your athletes? Why the Mental Skills Stack Matters Right NowAs the season intensifies, mental performance coaching helps athletes:
Over time, these skills strengthen deeper qualities like resilience, emotional control, and mental toughness. Instead of hoping athletes “figure it out,” the Mental Skills Stack gives them tools they can rely on when the stakes are highest. It also protects wellbeing. Athletes who feel supported mentally are less likely to burn out and more likely to enjoy the process - especially during long, demanding seasons. How Parents Can Support the Final PushParents play an important role as the season enters its most demanding phase. You can support your athlete by:
Mental skills grow fastest in environments where athletes feel supported, not pressured. Parent Action StepTake five minutes this week to ask your athlete: “What part of the season feels hardest right now, and how can I best support you mentally?” This conversation alone can help athletes feel understood, supported, and more confident heading into the second half of the season. Final ThoughtThe second half of the season isn’t just about doing more. As teams head toward playoffs, now is one of the most impactful times to support your athlete with a mental skills program. The work they do now can shape not only how they finish this season - but how they handle pressure, challenges, and growth in the seasons ahead. Suggested Resource of the WeekFortitude 365 – Foundations & Fundamentals of Mental Performance Program This program introduces athletes to the Mental Skills Stack, helping them build confidence, resilience, focus, and emotional control - exactly when the season demands it most.
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