A good coach can be one of the most influential people in a child’s life. A bad coach can be one of the most influential people in a child’s life. Being a coach should be so much more than just teaching children how to play a sport. Coaches are major role models for children, not just in sports, but in life. Studies show that athletes are much more likely to stay in a sport if their coach is encouraging and positive. Who would have thought? As adults, we enjoy working with people who are optimistic rather than pessimistic. Children are the same.
Athletes will be more confident and perform better when they receive constant encouragement and positivity. But let’s be honest, often times relentless positivity is hard to achieve. You didn’t sleep well last night, your athletes are being rowdy and wild, you have so much adult life to stress about. You’re a coach, you’re supposed to be watching your athletes and making corrections. Right? What if I told you that sometimes, many times, finding that one thing to be positive about will make more of a difference than pointing out a hundred corrections? Give it a try and see how your athletes flourish.
How can you bring the positive energy? Below are ten (ish) easy ways to use relentless positivity in your coaching.
One quick word of warning: All this amazing positive energy will only be successful if you, the coach, are one hundred percent sincere. If you don’t mean any of the positive words coming out of your mouth, then you might as well stay quiet. No one likes being patronized, and it’s surprising how easily children pick up on it. Sometimes this is going to be extremely difficult. Practice has been a disaster, and your athletes are struggling. Find it. Find the one positive thing, focus in on it, and start encouraging it. You will see a difference.
Coaching education is an important key to productive workouts and long term retention which leads to success. After all, athletes aren't made overnight, but instead are a result of repeated processes that shape young minds and bodies.
Now, here is one final thought before we go: Please remember that above anything else, you are working with a person. A person who probably hasn’t been on this earth for more than a handful of years. Be patient. Not because it will pay off in their sports performance, but because you are working with a human who is deserving of positivity, encouragement, and patience.
Happy Coaching!
Carly Ritter
Recreational Director
Pinnacle Gymnastics