Coaches have many responsibilities: their families, community and church, the athletes on their teams, and the students they teach. That role model responsibility is also an opportunity.
Handling Criticism
Every coach will receive criticism from parents, media, alumni, or fans at some point in the season. The way that you handle that criticism can be a strength or weakness in your public relations image. Suppose at a key point in a game, you make the wrong decision. It affects the outcome of the game. You might be able to get away with the error by blaming it on other factors, or your can tell the truth. The question arises: “Coach, why did you switch from man-to-man to zone with a five point lead and five minutes to go when the man defense had been helping you so much and had kept you in the game?”
Conducting player conferences is vital to any successful program that wants to keep the lines of communication open between the players and coach. This line of communication allows players and coaches to deal honestly with one another in order to gain a better understanding of what is needed and expected of one another. When issues are dealt with in an open and honest manner, both individuals gain confidence in the situation and are able to excel in their defined roles.
Unfortunately, all players have “off” days. Here are tips to help you compete on those days!
1. Do not become obsessed with the fact that you are not playing well. There is no need to get uptight and panic just because you are not playing up to your potential.
2. If one part of your game is off, use other parts of your game to win. Try to build some rhythm and take pressure off that aspect of your game that is not working. You need to rely on other parts of your game.
3. Do not become preoccupied with your technique.. This will only make things worse and cause you to start doubting your mechanics and your ability. The only time you should think about your technique is during practice.
4. Fight! Never think that you can’t win a game just because you are not playing your best. Your opponent may be lacking just as much confidence as you are and may be entertaining the same negative thoughts.
5. Try to stay positive throughout the game. Turn all negative thoughts or comments into positive affirmations. Example: “I can’t do this today to save my life. If I don’t hit do this well, there’s no way I can win.” This negative thought can be turned into: “Although I’m not playing like I normally do, I have confidence in the rest of my game to win this game.”
6. Do not let your opponent know that you are lacking confidence by berating yourself. This will only damage your confidence and help your opponent’s.
Most every team (and coach) is blessed with one special or elite player. This individual seems to understand the game at a higher level than the others. The edge may be technical, tactical, physical, psychological or often a combination.
The issue to face is how do we as coaches elevate the superior players while not ignoring the others who are obviously the majority of the team. The question must first be asked at what age, skill level, and seriousness is the team. What is the emphasis, interest, and ability of your coaching position? Is it for the lesser talented player, is it for the average player, or is it for the best player on your team?
The previous three articles in this series dealt with various types of coaching behavior athletes liked or disliked. This final installment will deal with what you do with all this information and some concluding thoughts.
Last month we looked at a variety of preferred coaching behaviors that players have demonstrated a desire for; proper training and instruction, social support, and rewarding behavior. This month we will look at democratic and autocratic behavior, two style of decision making that a coach can use.
Last month we looked at how coaching behavior effects athletes. Coaching behavior was defined and it was decided that giving players what they want, was the best way to positively motivate their performance. During the next three articles we will look at what players want and how to give it to them. This month we will look at giving your players proper training, and instruction, social support, and rewarding behaviors.