Four Principles of Successful Coaching
The Principle of Fun
Successful coaches know how to make team activities FUN! This is the foundational principal that motivates all play. It’s a simple linear equation. The more fun kids have the more energy and focus they will bring to learning and participation. There is also an exponential factor. Enthusiasm is contagious. Enthusiasm begets more enthusiasm. If your team seems lethargic it’s time to ask yourself the question, “Am I building fun into all my teams activities?” It will take some imagination but a good coach will figure out ways to do this.
The Principle of Challenge
Kids love challenges. By itself, challenge is a powerful motivating factor and it comes already built into the make up of youth. Coaches don’t have to create it. They do, however, have to channel it. This means continually creating ways make individual, group, and team activities challenging. Combined with the powerful Principle of Fun, you are on your way to a successful season regardless of whatever else happens.
The key to success in challenging the kids is to make goals achievable. The more they achieve the more self confidence and fun they will have. This is a positive that becomes a negative if the goals are beyond their reach. On the other hand the level of goals shouldn’t be too easy. If they are, they won’t be meaningful and players will quickly get bored.
The Principle of Praise
There can’t be too much. Praise is a powerful motivator. Period.
The Principle of Self-Motivation
In my opinion, one of the most important roles of a coach is to develop self motivation in the individual players. They are all different from one another. Each will react differently to different challenges and different level’s of challenge. It’s up to the coach to discover that magic touch stone in each player that is the hot button that will turn on self-motivation.
Summary
Each of these Principles, individually, is a big challenge. Collectively, they can seem formidable. Successful coaches have learned how to apply them, but it didn’t happen overnight. So, if at times you feel overwhelmed, sit back and relax and know that step by step it will all come together with experience. Your guiding principle should be the first one, The Principle of Fun! When you make it obvious to the kids that you are having fun, they pick up on your enthusiasm and everyone benefits.
See You At the Top!!
Coach Matt
Copyright 2005(c) by Matt Hawk and Hawk Planners.com. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: (1) a proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each story, along with a link to http://www.hawkplanners.com/ (2) content may not be arranged or mirrored as a competitive online service.
The Route to Winning Goes Through Losing...
What Champions Have to Say...
How to Give Compliments and 'Build a Fire' within your team.
Five Benefits of Setting Long and Short-Term Goals
Winning Coaches Teach Players Benefits of Self Control
A Game of High Speed Transition
8 Ways to Get More from Practice Time
How to make a TEAM out of a team!
Four Principles of Successful Coaching
SMART Coaches are Successful Coaches
What is "Controlled Aggression" and why is it Important?
The 7 Habits of Highly Ineffective Coaches
Three Vital Tips for Success in Coaching
Youth Sports Coaches Check List
|
PRESS RELEASES
02/19/07
Hawk Planners Attracts Youth Sports Coaches From 67 Countries
|
|
