The key to a positive team environment is in the coaching. One of the most respected coaches in the NFL, ex-Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy stated it this way in his children’s book You Can Do It, “As a young athlete, I know I always played harder for coaches who told me I was doing well and pointed out ways I could improve, as opposed to coaches who only commented on what I was doing wrong”.
Although participation in youth sports has the potential for instilling tremendous values in young people, a negative environment created by negative coaches can have the potential to destroy confidence, destroy self-esteem, and turn young athletes away from sports participation.
Building athletes up should be as important in youth sports as improving their skills. Keeping it positive should be the goal throughout practices and competitions. Intentionally providing each athlete with a positive comment during practice and competition should be a priority. As coaches praise their young athletes, the athletes will gain confidence and will also pick up on the behavior. Positive comments are contagious and soon coaches will hear the kids following their lead.
Importance of Maintaining Self-Control
Coaches who demonstrate self-control are a vital component to establishing a positive team environment. Coaches who can control their emotions during difficult calls, immediately after mental and and/or physical errors, and during confrontations with outspoken parents set the tone for the day.
When situations are intense on the field, athletes tend to watch more carefully. The response from the coach tells the athlete if the “win” is more important than the athlete. Careful consideration of comments provided to the athlete will go a long way in either building up the athlete’s confidence or tearing it down.
Comments to the athletes should be directed at encouraging the young athletes, minimizing the athlete’s perception of the error, and providing necessary corrections. Humiliating an athlete because of an error will only embarrass the athlete and diminish his/her confidence.
Athletes Playing in Fear Increase their Mistakes
Unfortunately, self-control is a character trait that is often seen lost by coaches (and parents) in youth sports programs. When coaches are angry, athletes tend to play in fear. A fearful athlete makes mistakes because they play tentatively. Athletes who are coached through positive encouragement (even after their mistakes) make fewer mistakes because they can play relaxed and without mental distractions or fear of repercussions from the coaching staff.
Self-esteem also comes into play in this scenario. Embarrassing an athlete in front of his/her peers and parents can take a toll on a young athlete’s self-esteem. Derogatory comments about the athlete have no place in youth sports.
Youth Sports Should be Fun
Last, it is well known that one of the primary reasons kids play sports is for fun. A positive environment intentionally created by the coaching staff will ensure that the kids will have the opportunity to learn and develop their skills and have fun in the process. A young person who enjoys sports participation will hopefully stay active as an adolescent and an adult.
Coaches will find that if they approach their athletes with a positive comment, their young athletes will be more receptive to listening and correcting motor skill mistakes. They will be encouraged to try new skills, work harder at mastering the ones they have already learned, and take risks towards improving their game. Last, coaches who demonstrate self-control in difficult situations teach young players to do the same.
