“A good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life!”
Through my many years of coaching I’ve learned it’s how you say it, not what you say. You’ve got to have heart along with compassion to steer your athletes to want to improve to becoming better each day. Not by ranting and carrying on, but showing them by example. I’m still learning as I coach that there are always things I can improve on. We must be diligent and consistent about what we’re teaching them on a daily basis – continuing with the desire to inspire!
We must believe in each one that comes into our care, giving them our very best!
In continuing to inspire, I’ve taken an idea from the Positive Coaching Alliance, (which is a committee of professional leaders who have been successful in their trainings/workshops to inspire and motivate others towards their quest to becoming better coaches), to focus more of what their doing correct – they call it, “Positive Charting.” I’ve always been one to look for more of the positives, but keeping record just reinforces the need and ensures everyone is being recognized. Therefore, I’ve began charting each athlete’s progress – noting more of their positive attributes – who wants to be drilled on their negatives?!
“Coaches often think they add value only by pointing out players’ flaws and trying to correct them. But it also is important to positively reinforce what players are doing right. Positive Charting will help you ‘catch players doing things right’.”
~Positive Coaching Alliance https://www.positivecoach.org/
More of the positives we share, the happier they will listen and care!
Although, sharing with them their next steps is important in their development as athletes, again, it’s how we relay these steps – body language is everything and keeping ourselves in control leads us to being more successful.
“Flatter em, and I may not believe you.
Criticize me, and I may not like you.
Ignore me, and I may not forgive you.
Encourage me, and I will not forget you.”
~William Arthur Ward
1,000 Ways To Be A Warrior! 