We measure an athlete’s physical performance with stopwatches and stat sheets, but how do we measure their mindset? For years, the mental side of the game has been left to guesswork. A modern approach to youth sport psychology changes that. By using objective mindset assessments, we can get a clear, data-driven picture of an athlete's unique mental attributes—from their grit and coachability to how they handle pressure. This allows us to move beyond generic advice and create personalized training plans that target specific areas for growth. This method takes the mystery out of mental training and empowers athletes, parents, and coaches with a precise roadmap for building a truly elite mindset. Contact Us Key Takeaways Train the Mind Like a Muscle: Mental skills such as focus, confidence, and resilience aren't fixed traits; they are developed through consistent practice. Incorporate simple exercises like visualization and positive self-talk into regular training to build a stronger, more reliable mindset under pressure. Focus on Effort, Not Just the Scoreboard: Parents and coaches create the environment where young athletes thrive. You can build mental toughness by celebrating hard work and personal growth, encouraging open communication, and keeping the focus on the enjoyment of the sport. Stop Guessing and Start Assessing: To truly help an athlete, you need to understand their unique mental landscape. Mindset assessments provide a clear roadmap, identifying specific strengths and areas for growth so you can create a personalized and effective mental training plan. What is Youth Sport Psychology? When we talk about athletic performance, we often focus on physical strength, speed, and skill. But what about the game that’s played inside an athlete’s head? That’s where youth sport psychology comes in. It’s a field dedicated to helping young athletes develop the mental skills they need to perform their best, handle pressure, and, most importantly, enjoy their sport. It’s not just for elite athletes or those who are struggling; it’s a powerful tool for any young person looking to grow, both on and off the field. Think of it as strength and conditioning for the mind. Just as you train your body, you can also train your mind to be more resilient, focused, and confident. This approach recognizes that a strong mindset is the foundation of consistent performance and long-term success. It provides resources and strategies not just for athletes, but also for the parents and coaches who support them, creating a positive environment where young competitors can thrive. A Clear Definition So, what exactly is youth sport psychology? At its core, it’s about providing services and resources to help young athletes, their parents, and coaches succeed in sports and in life. The primary goal is to strengthen an athlete's performance, mental toughness, and confidence. It’s not about "fixing" problems, but about building a toolkit of mental skills—like focus, resilience, and self-belief—that can be used during a tough game, a challenging practice, or even a stressful exam at school. It’s a proactive approach to mental training that equips young people with the tools they need to handle the ups and downs of competition. How It Differs from Adult Sports Psychology You might wonder if you can just apply the same mental strategies used by professional athletes to younger ones. The answer is a bit more complex. Working with youth athletes requires a deep understanding of the inherent variability in child and adolescent development. Kids and teens are not just mini-adults; their brains and bodies are constantly changing. A mental training program that works for a 17-year-old might not be effective for a 12-year-old. The key difference lies in adapting techniques to fit the athlete's specific developmental stage, ensuring the strategies are both understandable and impactful for their age. Why Age Matters in Mental Training Taking it a step further, even athletes in the same age group develop at different speeds. Two 14-year-olds can be in completely different places physically, mentally, and emotionally. That’s why simply using age to plan mental training isn't enough. A personalized approach is essential. When mental training is tailored to an individual, it becomes far more effective. Plus, creating positive experiences with sport psychology at a young age has a lasting impact. It encourages athletes to value their mental game and seek out these resources throughout their careers, whether as players, coaches, or parents themselves. Why is Youth Sport Psychology Important? We spend countless hours on physical drills, conditioning, and strategy, but what about the game that’s played between the ears? Youth sport psychology isn't just an add-on; it's a fundamental part of athletic development. It provides the tools young athletes need to handle the pressures of competition, work effectively with their teammates and coaches, and, most importantly, enjoy the process. By focusing on the mental side of the game, we help athletes build a solid foundation that supports not only their performance on the field but also their overall well-being. It’s about nurturing a mindset that can turn challenges into opportunities for growth, making them stronger competitors and more resilient individuals. Improve On-Field Performance A strong mental game directly translates to better performance. Think about the athlete who chokes under pressure versus the one who thrives in it—the difference is often mental. Youth sport psychology equips athletes with the psychological tools to manage performance anxiety, quiet self-doubt, and maintain focus when it matters most. When an athlete learns how to control their thoughts and emotions, they can execute skills more consistently, make smarter decisions in the heat of the moment, and communicate more effectively with their team. It’s the key to unlocking their physical potential and helping them play at their best, especially when the stakes are high. Support Mental Health and Well-being Sports should be a source of joy and growth, not just stress. The pressure to perform can take a toll on a young athlete's mental health, but a focus on sport psychology can help create a positive experience. Research shows that participating in sports offers significant mental health benefits, including higher self-esteem and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. By integrating mental skills training into their routine, athletes learn to handle setbacks, manage expectations, and build a healthy relationship with their sport. This proactive approach fosters a supportive environment where an athlete's well-being is just as important as their win-loss record. Build Skills for Long-Term Success The lessons learned through sport psychology extend far beyond the playing field. Developing skills like discipline, resilience, and goal-setting prepares young athletes for challenges they'll face in all areas of life. When athletes learn how to build mental toughness, they become better equipped to handle academic pressures, navigate social situations, and pursue future career goals with confidence. These mental skills become a part of who they are, contributing to consistent effort in everything they do. Ultimately, sport psychology helps shape well-rounded individuals who know how to persevere, lead, and succeed long after their athletic careers are over. Key Mental Skills Every Young Athlete Needs Just like a free throw or a corner kick, mental skills aren't something an athlete is simply born with—they are trained, practiced, and perfected over time. These skills form the foundation of a strong athletic mindset, giving young athletes the tools they need to perform under pressure, grow from challenges, and find joy in their sport. Developing these abilities early doesn't just create better players; it helps shape more confident and resilient young adults. For any athlete looking to reach their potential, mastering the mental game is just as important as mastering the physical one. Below are four of the most critical mental skills every young athlete should work on. Build Confidence Confidence is the quiet belief in your ability to execute a skill, make a decision, or handle a tough situation. It’s what allows an athlete to take the game-winning shot or step up to the plate after a strikeout. This self-assurance isn't just about feeling good; it has a real impact on well-being. Research highlights that teen sports can lead to improved mental health, higher self-esteem, and reduced symptoms of anxiety. Confidence is built through dedicated practice, celebrating small wins, and learning to trust in your preparation. When athletes feel competent in their skills, they are more willing to push their limits and perform freely without being held back by self-doubt. Sharpen Focus In any sport, the ability to concentrate on the present moment is a huge advantage. Focus is about tuning out distractions—the crowd, a previous mistake, or the pressure of the score—and zeroing in on the task at hand. This level of concentration is a key component of mental toughness. Studies show that training this skill can directly benefit an athlete's performance and competitive edge. For a young athlete, this could mean focusing on their breathing before a penalty kick or listening intently to a coach's instructions during a timeout. Like any muscle, focus gets stronger with consistent practice, helping athletes stay grounded and effective when it matters most. Develop Resilience Resilience is the art of bouncing back. It’s what an athlete does after a tough loss, a missed opportunity, or a critical error. Instead of letting setbacks define them, resilient athletes use them as fuel for growth. Learning how to handle adversity is crucial for long-term success and enjoyment in sports. It helps young athletes overcome fears and self-doubt, manage performance anxiety, and deliver more consistent performances. A resilient mindset teaches athletes that failure isn't final; it's feedback. This powerful perspective helps them persevere through challenges both on and off the field, building character that will last a lifetime. Set Meaningful Goals Goals give athletes direction, purpose, and a clear path for improvement. While winning is often the ultimate goal, the most effective goals are personal and process-oriented, like improving free-throw percentage or mastering a new defensive technique. The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition notes that youth sports are strongly associated with setting and achieving personal goals. When young athletes learn to set specific, measurable, and attainable goals, they take ownership of their development. This process keeps them motivated during the daily grind of practice and gives them a tangible way to see their hard work pay off, building momentum and a lasting passion for their sport. Common Mental Hurdles Young Athletes Face Every athlete, from the rookie to the seasoned pro, faces mental challenges. The journey to peak performance isn't just about physical training; it's also about learning to work with your mind. Recognizing these common hurdles is the first step toward building the mental skills to overcome them. When you can name what you're feeling, you can start to develop a strategy to handle it. These challenges aren't signs of weakness—they're a normal part of the athletic experience and an opportunity to grow stronger, both on and off the field. Understanding these obstacles helps athletes, parents, and coaches create a more supportive and effective training environment. Performance Anxiety and Pressure Ever feel your heart pound, your palms sweat, or your mind go blank right before a big moment? That’s performance anxiety. It’s a completely normal response to the pressure of wanting to do well. This pressure can come from anywhere: the desire to win, the expectations of others, or the high standards you set for yourself. While a little bit of adrenaline can be helpful, too much anxiety can get in the way of your performance. It can cause physical tension that makes movements feel stiff and can create mental blocks that cloud your judgment. Learning to manage this pressure is a key skill for all young athletes who want to play freely and confidently when it matters most. Fear of Failure The fear of making a mistake or losing the game can sometimes feel bigger than the excitement of playing. This fear of failure can be paralyzing, causing you to play tentatively, avoid taking risks, or focus too much on what could go wrong. Often, this fear is tied to external factors, like worrying about letting down your team or dealing with high parental expectations. When the focus shifts from the joy of competition to the fear of the outcome, it can drain your motivation and confidence. The goal is to reframe your mindset to see mistakes not as failures, but as essential learning opportunities on the path to improvement. Burnout and Overtraining There’s a fine line between pushing your limits and pushing yourself too far. Burnout happens when the constant demands of training and competition lead to total physical and emotional exhaustion. It’s more than just feeling tired—it’s a deep sense of fatigue and a loss of interest in a sport you once loved. In today's highly competitive youth sports culture, the pressure to train year-round can be intense. Without proper rest and balance, athletes risk both injury and burnout. Effectively managing their training and recovery is crucial for long-term health, happiness, and success in any sport. Social Comparison It’s natural to look at your teammates or opponents and measure how you stack up. But constantly comparing your skills, stats, or playing time to others can be a major blow to your self-esteem. This is especially true when you feel like you’re falling short. Social comparison can create feelings of inadequacy and jealousy, shifting your focus from your own progress to someone else’s. Instead of concentrating on your personal growth and what you can control, you get caught up in a game you can’t win. True confidence comes from understanding your own unique strengths and focusing on becoming the best version of yourself, not a copy of someone else. Mental Training Techniques for Young Athletes Just like physical drills, mental exercises help sharpen an athlete's skills. The best part is that these techniques are simple to learn and can be practiced anywhere. Integrating these mental training tools into a regular routine helps young athletes build confidence, manage pressure, and stay focused when it matters most. Here are four foundational techniques every athlete can start using today. Visualize Success Visualization is like creating a highlight reel in your mind before the game even starts. It involves picturing yourself performing successfully, from sinking the game-winning shot to crossing the finish line first. This mental practice helps your brain and body get familiar with the feeling of success, which can directly enhance their confidence and focus. Encourage your athlete to spend a few minutes each day imagining a successful performance in vivid detail. What does it look like? What does it feel like? This simple exercise prepares them mentally for the real thing. Use Breathing to Relax Competition can bring on a wave of nerves, but a few deep breaths can make all the difference. When an athlete feels pressure mounting, their heart rate and breathing speed up. Simple breathing exercises can slow things down, bringing a sense of calm and control. A great technique is to breathe in slowly for four counts, hold for four, and exhale for four. This helps manage performance anxiety and allows athletes to clear their minds, reset their focus, and perform at their best, even in high-stakes situations. Practice Positive Self-Talk The voice inside an athlete's head can be their biggest cheerleader or their harshest critic. Positive self-talk is the practice of turning that inner voice into a supportive teammate. Instead of thinking, "I hope I don't mess up," an athlete can reframe it to, "I've trained for this, and I'm ready." This simple shift helps counter negative thoughts and builds a more resilient mindset. Encouraging athletes to use positive, encouraging phrases helps them build self-belief and approach challenges with a more constructive and confident attitude. Establish a Pre-Competition Routine A consistent pre-game routine is a powerful tool for getting into the right headspace. Routines eliminate uncertainty and help an athlete feel in control, which is key to calming nerves. A good routine can include a mix of physical and mental preparation, like a specific warm-up, listening to a favorite playlist, and practicing a few minutes of visualization or deep breathing. Having a predictable sequence of actions helps signal to the body and mind that it's time to compete, allowing an athlete to feel more prepared and reduce anxiety before stepping onto the field or court. How Parents Can Support Their Athlete's Mental Game As a parent, you’re your child’s biggest fan, but it can be tough to know how to help them with the mental side of sports. Many parents feel like they’re searching in the dark for good advice on how to support their young athlete through the inevitable pressures and challenges. Your role is incredibly important, but it’s not about being a second coach or a drill sergeant. It’s about creating an environment where your child can develop mental toughness, resilience, and a genuine love for their sport. Even the most physically talented athletes can struggle with confidence, dealing with mistakes, or focusing under pressure. That’s where you come in. Your support can be the foundation that allows them to build a strong mental game, which will serve them both on and off the field. It's a common mistake to focus solely on physical training while neglecting the mindset that truly drives performance. By shifting your focus to a few key areas of mental support, you can help your child develop the mindset they need to perform their best and, more importantly, enjoy the experience. Let’s walk through some practical ways you can be a positive force in your athlete’s journey. Create a Supportive Home Environment Your home should be a sanctuary, a place where your child’s value isn’t tied to their latest performance. Make it clear that your love and support are unconditional, whether they won the championship or sat on the bench. After a tough game or practice, they need a parent, not another critic. Let them lead the conversation about the game—if they want to talk about it at all. Creating this safe space helps them decompress, process their experiences without judgment, and remember that their sport is what they do, not who they are. This foundation of security is exactly what parents of high-performing athletes learn to provide. Manage Expectations and Communication It’s natural to want your child to succeed, but it’s crucial to manage expectations—both yours and theirs. Open communication is key. Instead of asking, "Did you win?" try asking, "Did you have fun?" or "What was your favorite part of the game?" Understanding your child's motivation helps you know how to support them, especially if they start to lose interest. When you talk about their goals, help them balance big dreams with realistic, manageable steps. This approach builds their confidence without adding unnecessary pressure. Gaining insight into their unique mental attributes can also give you a better understanding of how they handle pressure and what truly drives them. Focus on Enjoyment Over Winning When kids are young, the number one reason they play sports is because it’s fun. As soon as the pressure to win outweighs the joy of playing, you risk burnout and anxiety. Remind your child (and yourself) to focus on the process: the effort, the improvement, and the friendships. Celebrate small victories, like mastering a new skill or showing great sportsmanship. If you notice your child is consistently unhappy or stressed about their sport, don't be afraid to discuss taking a break. Sometimes, stepping away is the best thing for their long-term love of the game. The ultimate goal is to foster a healthy relationship with sports that lasts a lifetime. Provide Constructive Feedback The post-game car ride can be a minefield. It’s important for parents to learn how to give feedback that helps, not hurts. Avoid a play-by-play breakdown of their mistakes. Instead, focus on things they can control, like their attitude and effort. If you do discuss performance, frame it constructively. Ask questions that encourage self-reflection, such as, "What did you learn today?" or "What’s one thing you want to work on in practice this week?" This empowers your young athlete to take ownership of their development. Your role is to be a supportive listener who helps them find their own solutions, not to be the one who has all the answers. How Coaches Can Build Mentally Strong Athletes As a coach, you do more than teach plays and run drills; you shape the environment where your athletes grow. Your influence is a powerful tool for building not just skilled players, but mentally resilient individuals. By intentionally focusing on the mental game, you can equip your team with the tools they need to handle pressure, bounce back from setbacks, and perform at their best, both in and out of the game. These strategies help you integrate mental training into your everyday coaching. Build Team Culture and Confidence A strong team culture is the foundation of mental toughness. When athletes feel connected and supported, they’re more willing to take risks and push their limits. You can foster this by celebrating both individual progress and team successes. Numerous studies show a clear link between teen sports and improved mental health, and a positive team culture amplifies this effect. Encourage your players to cheer for each other and create an atmosphere where everyone feels valued, regardless of their role. By building a culture of mutual respect and encouragement, you give your athletes the confidence to face challenges together. Teach Mental Skills During Practice Mental skills shouldn't be an afterthought; they should be woven into your daily practices. Just as you drill physical techniques, you can drill mental ones. Integrate exercises like visualization before a scrimmage or use focus cues during a complex drill. Interventions that target elements of mental toughness have been shown to benefit athletes’ performance and well-being. You can dedicate a few minutes at the start or end of practice to discuss a mental concept like positive self-talk or managing frustration. Making these skills a regular part of the routine shows your athletes that their mindset is just as important as their physical ability. Emphasize Effort, Not Just the Outcome It’s easy to get caught up in wins and losses, but a relentless focus on the final score can create anxiety and fear of failure. To help your athletes build lasting confidence, it’s essential to focus on the process and effort rather than solely on the results. Praise the hustle after a tough play, acknowledge the courage it took to try a new skill, and celebrate improvements in technique. When athletes know their effort is what you value most, they become more resilient. They learn to see mistakes as opportunities for growth instead of failures, which is a critical mindset for long-term success. Create a Supportive Environment A supportive environment is one where athletes feel safe to fail. When players aren't afraid of being criticized for making a mistake, they are more creative, aggressive, and coachable. Creating a supportive environment is crucial because it helps young athletes deal with criticism, build confidence, and maintain their love for the sport. Establish an open line of communication where athletes feel comfortable sharing their concerns. Actively listen to their feedback and show that you respect their perspectives. This psychological safety builds trust and empowers your athletes to take ownership of their development, knowing their coach has their back. Why Mindset Assessment is a Game-Changer We talk a lot about the importance of an athlete's mindset, but how do you actually know what’s going on inside their head? Guessing or relying on observation alone only gives you part of the picture. A formal mindset assessment provides a clear, objective look at an athlete's mental game, much like a video analysis would break down their physical technique. It moves you from wondering what to do to knowing what to do. This isn't about labeling an athlete as "mentally weak" or "strong." It's about getting a detailed roadmap of their unique mental landscape. An assessment gives athletes, parents, and coaches a shared language and a starting point for meaningful improvement. By measuring specific mental attributes, you can create a targeted plan that addresses the root of an issue instead of just the symptoms. This data-driven approach takes the guesswork out of mental training and empowers athletes to build real, lasting skills. Understand Individual Mental Attributes Every athlete is wired differently. One might thrive under pressure while another struggles with nerves. One might be incredibly self-motivated but not very coachable. Mindset assessments provide deep insights into an athlete's psychological state, helping you understand how their individual mental attributes influence performance. Instead of seeing "mindset" as one big, vague concept, an assessment breaks it down into measurable factors like Grit, Coachability, and Leadership Potential. This detailed understanding is crucial. It helps you see the why behind an athlete's actions on the field or court. By getting a clear picture of their unique mental profile, you can stop using one-size-fits-all advice and start providing the specific support they actually need to succeed. The research behind these assessments gives you a reliable foundation for building a stronger mental game. Identify Strengths and Areas for Growth A great mental game isn't about being perfect; it's about knowing yourself. Through systematic evaluation, mindset assessments can highlight both strengths and areas for growth in young athletes. This process is incredibly empowering because it gives you a balanced view. You can celebrate what an athlete is already doing well—maybe they have incredible focus or are a natural leader—while also identifying the specific skills that need a little more attention. For example, an assessment might show that an athlete has tremendous resilience but struggles with managing their pre-competition anxiety. This information is gold. It allows you to stop worrying about their ability to bounce back from mistakes and instead focus your energy on developing a solid pre-game routine. This targeted approach makes performance management more efficient and effective for everyone involved. Personalize the Mental Training Approach Once you understand an athlete's unique profile, you can create a plan that actually works for them. Personalized mental training approaches, informed by mindset assessments, have been shown to enhance athletes' performance and competitive edge. Instead of giving generic advice like "be more confident," you can offer specific strategies and skill routines tailored to their needs. If an athlete’s assessment shows they struggle with negative self-talk, you can work on specific thought-stopping and reframing exercises. If another needs to work on their focus, you can introduce mindfulness drills into their practice. This level of personalization makes mental training feel relevant and achievable for a young athlete. It gives coaches and parents a clear playbook for helping their athlete build the mental toughness and psychological well-being needed to thrive. Build Long-Term Mental Resilience True mental strength isn't about never falling down; it's about how you get back up. In youth sports, building long-term mental resilience is one of the most valuable skills an athlete can learn. It’s the ability to withstand pressure, bounce back from disappointment, and grow stronger from challenges. This skill set doesn't just create better athletes—it prepares young people for life. The field, court, or track becomes a practice ground for handling adversity, managing emotions, and staying committed to a goal, long after the final whistle blows. Resilience isn't something you're born with. It’s a skill that is built over time through intentional practice and with the right support system. For coaches and parents, the goal is to create an environment where athletes feel safe to fail and are given the tools to learn from those failures. By focusing on developing coping strategies, teaching emotional regulation, and keeping the love of the game alive, we can help young athletes build a foundation of mental resilience that will serve them for years to come. This approach to performance management shifts the focus from short-term wins to long-term personal growth. Develop Coping Strategies for Setbacks Setbacks are a non-negotiable part of any athlete's journey. A missed free throw, a tough loss, or getting cut from a team can feel devastating in the moment. The key is to equip young athletes with healthy coping strategies to process these experiences constructively. Sports psychology interventions are crucial for helping athletes work through self-doubt and performance anxiety, giving them long-term coping mechanisms for the inevitable bumps in the road. Instead of letting a mistake derail their confidence, they learn to see it as a source of information. This reframes failure from a final verdict into valuable feedback, helping them identify what they can control—like their effort and attitude—and let go of what they can't. Teach Emotional Regulation Skills Sports are emotional. The thrill of victory and the sting of defeat can bring out intense feelings. Emotional regulation is the ability to understand, manage, and respond to these feelings in a healthy way. It’s a core component of what many call mental toughness. This doesn't mean suppressing emotions; it means preventing them from taking over and negatively impacting performance. An athlete who can manage their frustration after a bad call is more likely to stay focused and make a smart play. Simple techniques like deep breathing to calm nerves or using a "reset" word after a mistake can make a huge difference in high-pressure situations. Maintain Enjoyment and Motivation At the end of the day, sports should be fun. When the pressure to win overshadows the joy of playing, burnout is right around the corner. Research shows that enjoyment is a powerful driver of long-term participation and can even support better mental health. Young athletes who play team sports often report less stress, which highlights how important a positive and fun environment is. To keep motivation high, the focus should be on effort, personal improvement, and the love of the game. Celebrating small wins, encouraging a life outside of sports, and reminding athletes why they started playing in the first place helps protect their passion and keeps them coming back season after season. Contact Us Frequently Asked Questions At what age should we start focusing on an athlete's mental game? There isn't a magic number, but it's helpful to start introducing basic mental skills as soon as an athlete begins to take their sport a bit more seriously. For younger kids, this can be as simple as talking about having fun, trying their best, and being a good teammate. As they get older and competition increases, you can introduce more specific concepts like setting small goals or using deep breaths to calm nerves. The key is to make it age-appropriate and focus on building a healthy, positive relationship with their sport from the very beginning. Is sport psychology only for athletes who are struggling with a problem? Not at all. That's one of the biggest misconceptions out there. Think of mental training like strength and conditioning—you don't wait until you're weak to start lifting weights. Sport psychology is a proactive way for any athlete to build skills like focus, confidence, and resilience. It's about sharpening your strengths and developing a toolkit to handle the challenges that are a natural part of any sport, helping good athletes become great. How can I tell the difference between normal pre-game nerves and performance anxiety that needs attention? A little bit of nervous energy before a game is completely normal and can even be helpful. The line is crossed when that anxiety starts to consistently get in the way of performance or enjoyment. If an athlete is regularly feeling sick, having trouble sleeping before games, or their mind goes blank in key moments, it might be more than just butterflies. When the fear of playing starts to outweigh the fun of it, that's a good sign it's time to explore some strategies to manage that pressure. As a coach, how can I incorporate mental training without sacrificing physical practice time? The best way is to weave it directly into what you're already doing. You don't need to set aside a full hour for mental skills. You can introduce these concepts in just a few minutes. For example, you can start practice with a one-minute breathing exercise to work on focus or use the language of resilience when talking about mistakes during a drill. Framing feedback around effort instead of just the outcome is another powerful way to build a mentally strong culture without adding anything extra to your schedule. My athlete seems confident, so how would a mindset assessment actually help them? Confidence is a huge asset, but it's only one piece of the mental puzzle. An athlete might appear confident on the outside but struggle with things like coachability, staying motivated during a long season, or leading their teammates effectively. A mindset assessment gives you a complete picture of their mental game, highlighting both their well-developed strengths and the hidden areas where they could become even stronger. It takes the guesswork out of development and provides a clear path for them to become a more well-rounded and resilient competitor.