As the coaching profession has matured and grown, a growing number of voices have also emerged on the scene, offering advice on how to properly coach today’s young athlete. With so many “experts” claiming to know “what works,” it is sometimes difficult to discern sound advice. Training coaches has become a large-scale enterprise, with organizations such as the American Sport Education Program, the National Youth Sports Coaches Association and the Positive Coaching Alliance in the forefront.

In 2013, the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition published a major work titled, “Effective Education and Development of Youth Sports Coaches.” In the study, it was noted that “only 5 to 10 percent of youth sport coaches receive any relevant training.” At the high school level the numbers are slightly higher, but most high school coaches essentially use their experience in the classroom out on the playing field.

How are we learning

What this study and others are concerned with are how and what coaches learn, since it is that knowledge that they subsequently impart to their players. High school tennis players are no different from other athletes in that their goal is to win. But when we look deeper at the research, we find that many young athletes participate in sports for a variety of reasons, including “learning physical skills, developing an appreciation of fitness, and having a sense of belonging.”

This study by Ryan Hedstrom and Daniel Gould of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports was one of many which concluded that, on the fundamental level, young athletes’ greatest interests are to participate and to have fun.

But since we know that 70 percent of all young athletes drop out of sports by the age of 15, it is safe to assume that their needs and wants are not being met.

Well, what are the “coaches’ training” programs saying about this? The Positive Coaching Alliance, founded in 1998 at Stanford University with legendary coach Phil Jackson as its leading spokesman, has been perhaps the most outspoken and aggressive champion for changing the perception of coaches with respect to their role and goals. They’ve worked tirelessly to influence high school and youth coaches to expand their understanding of what it means to win.

At the heart of PCA thinking is the belief that all coaches should be “double goal coaches,” with the teaching of life lessons as important a component of winning as the final score. These life lessons are the values, behaviors and habits that your players will take with them to work, to family, and to their relationships.

Sportsmanship & Encouragement

The PCA believes that players must always honor the game by demonstrating sportsmanship, that they must be encouraged to learn from their mistakes, that effort should be praised, and that showing appreciation, positive recognition, and being an active listener are all essential for “filling a player’s emotional tank.” They have even created what they call a “Magic Ratio,” meaning five positive statements for every critical comment.

To many veteran coaches, these PCA concerns might seem superfluous – an unwanted distraction from the more important drive to win. But the PCA reminds us that very few teams win all of their games and that only a small number of athletes go on to play in college, much less the pros. Shouldn’t we expect more from our coaches and from our teams? Shouldn’t we evaluate our coaches by a standard beyond wins and losses?

Today’s athletes, today’s schools, and today’s society have new and greater expectations from coaches, and both novice and veteran coaches can adapt to these changes. It is the only way that players will truly learn from the experience of participating in high school sports. Competitive sports teams have much to offer the student athlete, and it is incumbent on coaches to ensure that the experience will have a lasting and positive effect on their players. As a coach, it is important to ask yourself, “How will I be remembered?”

Most coaches at the beginning stages of their coaching careers go through a

transitional period from playing and being “the guy” to starting over and having to work

back up again. This can be a tough transition for some and others fully embrace the

change from playing to coaching. Many coaches would argue that they learned more

their first year coaching than any other year. Young and/or beginner coaches will go

through changes and learning experiences that are generally beneficial and ultimately

help to mold them into the coaches they will eventually become. Coaching is always

changing but there are some principles in place that remain constant across all sports

and all levels. These are the three lessons that every young coach tends to learn rather

quickly as they venture into their new career.

Lesson #1: You Really Don’t Know It All

Whether you just finished playing or maybe never even played the sport you are

about to coach, you probably think you have a good understanding of the basic rules,

fundamentals, skills, etc… needed to coach your respective sport. While this is probably

true, there will be many things that you learn as a coach from other coaches that you

literally had no idea about. There will be topics of conversation that come up and you

may have no idea what the heck is being discussed, and that’s okay! Almost all

experienced coaches know that their younger coaches on staff do not know everything

and won’t know everything right away. Everybody had to start somewhere and even the

best coaches in the world had to start from scratch just like you. One of the biggest

piece of advice that a young coach can learn is this; it is perfectly okay to ask questions.

In fact, it is usually encouraged! Coaches want their staff members to be confident

about whatever it is they are teaching their players and because of this, questions are

absolutely essential for young coaches to feel comfortable coaching players directly.

One of the biggest pet peeves most coaches have about some of their young

coaches on staff is that they think they know everything when they walk in day one.

Know your role early on and ease into the staff as seamlessly as you can. Ask

questions, be open about what you know and what you don’t, and ultimately learn to be

a great listener because this will translate into making you a great teacher and coach!

Lesson #2: Different Players Learn in Different Ways

Young coaches will learn early on that all players learn better in certain

environments and certain circumstances. It is the old “carrot vs the stick” analogy.

Young coaches need to learn early on what motivates the players that they coach. Not

all players will respond or learn in the same way. Coaches have to be able to adapt to

different players and different personalities. There are always going to be “tougher”

players to gain respect from but if you learn what gets to them and what truly motivates

and moves them then you will find success in helping them reach their full potential.

A great tactic for young coaches to speed up this process is to have individual

meetings with all of the players that you will be in direct contact with throughout the

season. Set up these meetings and truly get to know your players on a personal basis.

This will allow you to create a solid base for the relationships you are about to build with

your players and it will also allow you to ask questions that will help you better

understand what kind of personalities you are about to encounter and also allow them to

ask you questions so that a trust is formed between you. Be honest with them when

answering questions and they will respect you to an even greater degree.

Lesson #3: Suck It Up: Stay the Course

The last lesson that all young coaches learn very quickly and early on in the

process is that some days you just have to suck it up. There will be days that challenge

you and truly will reveal your character. There are hard decisions that have to be made

as coaches and young coaches will continue to get better at making decisions quickly

and efficiently. There will be issues which will be time sensitive and will not allow you to

fully evaluate or research a perfect answer. Coaches learn to stay the course and just

trust their instincts. Coaches that are selfless and willing to do some of the dirty work

early on will reap the benefits of their sacrifices later on in their coaching careers. When

young coaches are asked to do tasks that they are uncomfortable with or unsure how to

do it, ask for help. Any and every new experience that is presented to you, you should

take advantage of. Coaches that can build a resume of varying experiences and skills

will succeed much greater than those who rely on a limited repertoire. On the days that

are tough, confide in your mentors and former coaches. Most of them have probably

been through a similar situation and will be able to help you through it. So just

remember, suck it up and stay the course!

Whether you are a young coach, an older coach starting a new gig, or someone who is

just thinking of becoming a coach, remember these three lessons and learn them as

quickly as you can to ensure that your career is started with your feet on the ground

running! Don’t be afraid to ask questions, get to know your players on a personal level,

and stay the course when things get tough!

The best methods for coaching, sending messages, and improving communication

Quite often, coaches and players encounter misunderstandings and breakdowns when communicating. It can be difficult for coaches to send messages or instruct players, because individuals react differently. Furthermore, it can be difficult for players to understand what their coach wants if they are not clear on the message or instruction they give. If you have experienced trouble communicating to players, you understand how this can negatively affect the player or team. Effective communication limits misunderstandings and gets everyone on the same page. If you want to improve your communication with players and experience more success, this article is for you.

The Basics of Sending Messages

Communication is a two-way street; there is always a sender and receiver of a message. In sports, the coach is usually the sender while the player is the receiver.  Players can misunderstand coaches for a variety of reasons: unclear or irrelevant information, failure to provide honest feedback, or inconsistent and confusing messaging, just to name a few. Here are some key points to remember in order to properly send a message:

·       Be clear and concise - If the message is filled with irrelevant information, the receiver may not know what to interpret. Be specific so your player knows exactly what you are saying.

·       Be honest – Being honest can create a trusting environment between coach and player. Although, your player may not like it if you tell them they will not be a starter this year. Having that said, confusion is limited and they know what to expect.

·       Own your message- If you feel a certain way, own up to it. If it’s your message, don’t put it off on another person because the receiver could be confused.

·       Reinforce with repetition – Many times there are breakdowns in communication because the receiver may forget what was said. Therefore, repeat the message over and over again to ensure there is no room for ambiguity.

Be Conscious of External Factors

There are many external factors that can affect the way a message is sent and received. For example, the location and the timing of the message can make a difference. In order to avoid embarrassment, a coach should never reprimand a player in front of their teammates. It is usually best to talk one on one in these situations. The timing is equally important as location; send your message in the moment instead of putting it off. When issues aren’t addressed immediately, the player may not associate the instruction or message with the situation it relates to. If the message is sent during the situation, they are more likely to remember and associate the message with the situation next time.

Making Sure Messages are Received

As stated previously, communication is a two-way street; the receiver is just as important as the sender. Therefore, try to make sure players are receiving the messages and instructions you are conveying. Here are some tips for coaches to improve the way players receive their messages.

·       Reiterate back – After sending a message, have player repeat it back to you. When the player paraphrases or repeats what you tell them, there is less room for miscommunication. This also creates more accountability for their actions going forward.

·       Encourage questions – Create an environment where players are not afraid to speak up or ask questions. This will limit misunderstandings and encourage players to engage and listen. This is also a way to get plenty of feedback as to why your messages are not being received clearly the first time.

·       Adapting to players – Players receive messages differently because they respond to different coaching styles. For example, some do well with being yelled at while others cannot handle it. Make sure you are familiar with different players and how they prefer to be coached.

Coaches as Receivers

Many times, it can be difficult for an athlete and coach to have good communication. Sometimes, athletes are reluctant to communicate with coaches because they believe their coaches will not listen to what they have to say; they believe that silence is better than expressing how they feel. This should not be the case. As a coach, make sure players know that they are free to express how they feel at all times. Coaches who promote a democratic style rather than purely autocratic may see more success. Players who feel they have a say in things will have a better experience which may ultimately lead to better performance. Therefore, coaches should adopt a democratic style and encourage a trusting relationship by creating an open door policy for their players.

Positivity is Always Best

A coach should always use a positive approach when communicating with their players so it is easier for the player to receive the message. When coaches use a negative approach, the player may listen to the tone of the message rather than the message itself. Avoid negativity by using the sandwich approach to constructive criticism: a positive statement, the future-oriented instruction and a compliment. For example, “Your effort level is great. Next time, try to get lower when you are shooting the ball. Keep up the good work.”

Conclusion

Breakdowns and misunderstandings between coach and player can be the difference between a winning or losing season. Communicating properly will enhance performance because players will be able to learn and receive better instruction. Furthermore, coach and player relationships are enhanced because players feel valued, there is a trusting environment, and a positive coaching style is used. When a coach is able to communicate messages effectively, it always translates into success and enhanced player experience. 

5 Traits of a Mentally Tough Athlete

What sets elite athletes apart from the rest? There isn’t one answer to this question since there are so many different factors when becoming elite. However, the presence of mental toughness is one undeniable factor. Athletes who are mentally tough possess the ability to disregard negative outcomes or adversity; they have the ability to control their emotions and silence the voice inside their head that says something is impossible.  When you possess the qualities of the mentally tough, you are able to go beyond the limits in your mind in order to take yourself to higher levels.

1. In Control

All mentally tough athletes feel that they control their performance regardless of external forces. They possess an unshakeable faith that they can control their own performance and they remain unaffected by competition or adversity. In their minds, the identity of their opponent does not matter; they will still play their best. An athlete who isn’t mentally tough may give control to their opponents, teammates or coaches. This ultimately affects their performance by surrendering their power and shifting their focus. Instead of losing their focus after a bad call from the referee, a mentally tough athlete can keep their cool and focus on the next play. No matter what, they feel and act as if they can influence the competition and outcome of the situation.

2. Committed

Commitment is another trait that will always be found in a mentally tough athlete. Commitment means following through and doing what you said you would do even after your mood has changed. For an athlete, commitment is going to bed early, waking up at 5 A.M. and going to the gym in the off-season, even when he or she doesn’t feel like it. However, getting to practice is only half of it. Commitment is just as much mental as it is physical. Instead of just showing up to practice, commitment means maintaining a high level of focus and practicing as hard as you can. By remaining committed and focused, an athlete never cheats themselves or others. They make themselves better every day through the pursuit to stay consistent and committed.

3. Challenge-Seeking

When you are the fourth place team facing the undefeated first place team, are you upset or excited about the opportunity? Any mentally tough athlete would state that they are excited to face the best team because they enjoy the challenge. Instead of wanting to play a worse opponent, someone who is mentally tough wants to play an opponent who will challenge them. The underdog who plays a challenging team does not see this opportunity as a threat; rather, the athlete perceives an opportunity to grow and develop. The desire for challenge directly correlates to their perceived control because they are unaffected by the opponent. They are not complacent. Instead, they want to push their limits and abilities.

4. Confident

Both control and the desire for challenge would not be possible without self-confidence. A strong sense of self-belief is a quality that will be found in all mentally tough athletes. How could they challenge themselves to compete with the best if they do not believe they can succeed? Athletes who don’t believe in their abilities want to play an opponent who is weaker because they don’t have good confidence or can’t handle losing. By having high self-confidence, athletes are able to constantly improve because they challenge themselves regularly. Furthermore, self-belief allows them to play their best no matter what everyone else is doing.  

5. Persistent

No season is ever perfect. There are going to be ups and downs, wins and losses. How does an athlete handle themselves in the bad times? They persist. Instead of backing off in the face of adversity, the mentally tough athlete faces it head on. When they experience a loss, mistake or pressure - do they lose their focus and give up? No. A mentally tough athlete will rebound from failure and adversity in order to be better. Athletes grow and develop from the ups and downs of sport by persisting through the tough times. They are able to constantly push themselves because they do not experience discouragement. Rather, they let the negativity motivate them and focus on what is next.

Becoming Mentally Tough

Mentally tough athletes will always believe that they control their fate. Their performance is always dependent on themselves and external factors do not matter. They believe they have the power to overcome any situation or opponent because they have great self-confidence. Therefore, they always look to challenge themselves. By staying motivated and committed, athletes become mentally tough and they grow and develop as a person and as an athlete.

Take your mental training further with this coaching course that teaches athletes to train their mind and get to the next level on and off the field – Mental Toughness Academy: The Champion Mindset

We’ve all been there. Losing is the toughest part of the game, and that feeling of loss in the moment can be all-consuming.

It’s moments like these when we need perspective. It’s true for adults and especially true for young athletes, who just learning how to respond to this emotion.

These are some of the moments where coaches can have the most impact. This is where you have the opportunity to speak words that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Watch Coach Dave Belisle take perfect advantage of such a moment to deliver a message his Cumberland American Little Leaguers will never forget.

It seems that some of the best advice you can hear comes in the press conferences given by top college coaches after a game. In those moments you will hear unscripted words from the heart, driven by the emotion of a game—win or lose.

These four tweets of college coaches sharing their thoughts drew a lot of attention on our twitter feed. If you missed them, take a few minutes and watch each video. Powerful stuff.

Geno Auriemma, was hired as head coach of the University of Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team in 1985.

"On our team, we put a huge premium on body language and if your body language is bad, you will never get in the game. Ever. I don't care how good you are. I'd rather lose than to watch some kids play the way they play."

Another one from Geno Auriemma

"I try to identify those kids, when we go recruiting, who have a tremendous interest in being great teammates. I've still had my share of players who were hard to coach, and you can trace the problem back to the parents, without question."

Coach Frank Martin, has been head coach for the University of South Carolina men's basketball team since 2012.

"Watch what happens when a kid asks the best question in the post game press conference to Coach Frank Martin, head coach for the University of South Carolina men's basketball team."

Bobby Kelsey was the head coach of the women's basketball program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for 5 years. She is now an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Sparks.

"You can't nap your way to being a good shooter. Put the phone down, stop FaceTiming, stop Tweeting and get your butt in the gym. There's no magic formula or secret potion you rub on your hands."

The advice in these tweets needs to be heard by all youth sports parents and young athletes.

There’s a reason that coaches like this make it to the top in their sport. They don’t sugar coat that success takes hard work, they look for athletes who are coachable, and they recognize that they are not out to be people-pleasers; they are out to help their teams reach their potential and be the best they can be.