“I wish my coach knew this about me…”
All coaches have their favourite players, and the ones they feel they could do without. Your favourite players are probably the ones who put in the most effort. Try harder and tick all the boxes you value. Whereas those other players are lazy, don’t focus, and sometimes just don’t seem to care. Can you relate to that?
If you can, I have a question for you. Are your players this way because that’s just who they are. Or have you shaped them unintentionally through the early assumptions you made about them?
Before you answer that question, I suggest you read this article by Dr Wade Gilbert. Wade discusses how our early assumptions can affect our athletes and the relationship we have with them. He also explains how the assumptions we make are often uninformed and therefore in some instances unfair.
To correct this, Wade gives us a fantastic strategy that will help you get to know your athletes better and uncover important things that you should know about them. This will help you form stronger relationships with each of your athletes. And, as we know, with stronger relationships you can be a more influential coach. Click the button below to read Wade’s article now.
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Action Steps
- Read Wade’s article.
- Reflect on your own assumptions and impressions of your athletes and identify if any are unfair or uninformed.
- At the end of your next training session, ask your athletes to complete the prompt as discussed by Wade.
- Review the answers you receive and adjust your coaching as required.
What was your key takeaway from this article?
Do you have any questions on any of the information provided in this article?
Let us know via the comments section.
I do agree that asking your players/athletes what I should know about them to help me coach them better is important. I think for young players/athletes it is also worth asking their parents…to get insight to any matter that may impact the young player/athlete. A simple example could be the young player/athlete has lost their pet…which may have an unsettling affect.
I also believe that the question should be asked at regular intervals but also monitor the individual behaviour and interaction with team mates.
Spot on @Fil the better you understand your players the more effective you’ll be able to be as their coach/friend/mentor.