When young athletes begin a new sport, they often become discouraged or frustrated when they don't pick up the game immediately. Even if the children are highly athletic, they'll never realize their full potential in the sport without motivation to practice. Coaches, along with the children's parents, play key roles in helping young athletes succeed.
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Difficulty:
Moderately Challenging
Instructions
1
Build a strong coach-athlete relationship. Take the time to form individual bonds with each athlete on the team, and get to know her strengths and weaknesses so you can give individualized feedback. In sports, it's not realistic to hold each athlete to the same standards. Some athletes have little difficulty playing the sport, but they may need help with sportsmanlike behavior. Other athletes will always struggle with the sport or a particular aspect of the sport, but you can praise them in their efforts or when they overcome a weakness. Young athletes simply want to know that they have potential and that they're valued members of the team. Giving them individualized feedback will build their trust in you as a coach. When athletes respect you as a person, they'll often want to emulate you and your success in the sport.
2
Avoid punishment or criticism. This could include making an athlete run laps if he makes a mistake in a game, or calling out an athlete's faults in front of the rest of the team. The athlete may feel embarrassed and inadequate, as if he'll never be good enough. He's thus less likely to continue practicing the sport. However, you shouldn't ignore the mistakes either. Provide instructions to help the athlete improve his areas of weakness, and praise him when he starts to improve on this weakness.
3
Encourage teamwork. Create drills in which the athletes have to rely on each other to complete a task. Praise athletes when they work successfully as a team. The athletes will start to trust and respect each other more, and they'll develop a sense of loyalty to their team.
4
Encourage the athletes to watch the sport on television or in person, and to find a positive role model within the sport. This will give them a goal to work toward and will help them realize what's possible if they remain dedicated to the sport.
Tips & Warnings
Incentives, or material rewards, are sometimes used to encourage athletes to stay dedicated to the sport. These incentives include ribbons, plaques or helmet stickers. However, these incentives are only effective for short-term motivation; after athletes have received awards, they may lose interest.
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