https://teachhoops.com/ In this episode of Coach Unplugged, Steve Collins debuts from Fifth Quarter Studios with a listener-fueled deep dive into what really holds young athletes back. After a 600-response Facebook poll, fear of failure emerged as the top limiter for grades 3–6, edging out physical ability and skill acquisition. Collins and his co-host unpack why the “game in your head” often trumps the game on the court—especially post-COVID, when many kids spent more time in comfort zones than pressure situations. They share real-world examples of over-thinking players, plus tips on controlled scrimmages and positive reinforcement drills that simulate crowd energy and teach young athletes to embrace mistakes as growth opportunities. Beyond the X’s and O’s, Collins reframes coaching as “confidence coaching,” explaining how every practice rep, sideline cue, and parent-coach conversation can either fuel or stall a child’s self-belief. He offers concrete steps to managers of the bench and parents in the stands—everything from crowd management to constructive post-game feedback—to ensure a supportive environment where failure is a stepping stone, not a setback. Along the way, Steve gives shout-outs to Dr. Dish for their community-focused shooting machines and to TeachHoops.com for providing turnkey practice plans, reminding listeners that the right tools and mindset go hand-in-hand on the journey to developing resilient, joyful players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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