Today’s top coaches know how to get the best out of their athletes. They do this, in part, by creating an environment of trust and safety where athletes feel comfortable being themselves, taking necessary risks, and speaking up. Researchers call this psychological safety and it impacts athletic performance.
Creating a safe environment for your athletes is about more than good equipment and safe field conditions. Coaches like Brad Stevens, Dabo Swinney, Doug Peterson, and Gregg Popovich – seen as positive coaches – ensure their teams feel safe enough to take risks and go all out. Ultimately, this emphasis on relationships is a significant component that leads to success.
Top performers take initiative. They take ownership for improving themselves and their teams. Are your athletes seeking ways to give their team an edge? Are they doing the little things to unify the team? Let’s look at three ways athletes can take initiative and gain a competitive advantage. These are the players who become your team leaders.
Augie Garrido, five-time national championship baseball coach, put a premium on practice. According to Garrido, “Games and championships are won in practice first.” Many coaches may agree with this statement, but not all teams and athletes approach practice the same way. Let’s look at how to help your athletes train like the pros.
Competition has forever been at the heart of sports. Athletes compete to find out who is the best on any given day. It’s why we play the game…or is it? We have drifted far from the true meaning of competition. As a result, our society suffers greatly as we continuously compare ourselves to others. We believe we will never be good enough. What if we have competition all wrong?
Everyone loves a good Cinderella story. However, the Cinderella of fairy tales wasn’t an underdog. She was only counted out by those who stood to gain from holding her back. Cinderella was a victim of circumstance. Once set free she soared, stole the show, and ran off with her prize. What can your team learn about fulfilling their own Cinderella story?
A team’s culture shapes their common language. We outwork the competition. Always compete. Losing only happens when you give up. Team first. These statements are indicators of what a team values most, of what they hang their hat on. What does your team’s language say about the team?
Olympic athletes are supported by a team of sport psychology professionals devoted to helping them be mentally prepared for the demands of Olympic competition. At this level, every detail matters. The difference between Gold and missing the medal stand can be fractions of a second. The slightest loss of focus, moment of hesitation, or being a little too anxious can make a huge difference. Without question, Olympic athletes must be mentally tough.
Right or wrong, athletes tie their identities to being athletes. What kind of athletes do they see themselves as? Champions? Fighters? Head cases? Chokers? How an athlete views him or herself has wide-reaching effects on his or her identity.
Sven-Goran Eriksson is one of soccer’s best managers. Over four decades he’s learned that, “The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.” Keep your athletes from succumbing to fear by teaching them to funnel their fear into high performance.
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