| What kind of environment do you create? Are | | | | coaching may not allow themselves to win. When |
| you uptight or intense during practices, lessons, | | | | players have been reinforced with negative |
| clinics? This type of energy rubs off on your | | | | feedback, they may lose just so they can |
| players and can make them uptight and tense as | | | | continue to receive negative feedback from the |
| well. Coaches are role models, and they should all | | | | coach. It is a vicious cycle. Break the negative |
| strive to be good role models. Your players take | | | | cycle. Get your players to respond to positive |
| their cues from how you conduct yourself. Follow | | | | feedback. 4. Look for players who can accept |
| these five tips for the best results. 1. Eliminate | | | | positive feedback and compliments. Individuals |
| sarcasm from your delivery style - do not make | | | | who accept positive feedback and are able to say |
| fun of or embarrass your players. Sarcasm and | | | | "thank you" after receiving a compliment are |
| public displays of criticism are negative. Negativity | | | | more likely to perform when it counts. Teach |
| breeds anger, resentment, and frustration. These | | | | your players to accept accolades. 5. Act calm and |
| emotions and feelings create stress which can | | | | confident. Have a calm tone of voice, speak |
| lead to injury, illness, and defeat not to mention | | | | softer and slower, and smile. What you say and |
| players, particularly young athletes, never wanting | | | | how you say it will either make your players |
| to play sports again. Give your players positive | | | | stronger and self confident or weaker and fearful. |
| feedback on what they are doing well. 2. Focus on | | | | Take a look at your coaching style. Commit to |
| the process - take the focus off of winning or | | | | being a positive, calm, caring, and confident coach. |
| losing. Focusing on the outcome creates a tense, | | | | These five tips will help you create teams that |
| uncomfortable, and ineffective environment. Focus | | | | have more fun, learn more easily, and win more |
| on the moment. The most important point, or | | | | often. |
| shot, or play is the next one. 3. Stop negative | | | | More articles from this pro: Smith, Ph.D. |
| interactions - players that respond to negative | | | | |