Positive Coaching, Motivation,and Communication

Rick Albrecht, Ph.D.Rick Albrecht, Ph.D.

Department of Movement ScienceDepartment of Movement Science

Grand Valley State UniversityGrand Valley State University

Michigan High School Athletic AssociationMichigan High School Athletic Association

Changing Behavior:A Positive Approach to

CoachingThe primary function of a coach is to

somehow alter existing behavior --

We, as coaches, must make a conscious decision as to whether we will use a POSITIVE or NEGATIVE approach when we attempt to make these changes

Using a Negative Approachto Change Behavior

One Single “Advantage”…

It often works -- can eliminate undesirable behavior. But only in the short run and only when we are present and only when we’re willing to punish

Using a Negative Approachto Change Behavior

Disadvantages (page 1)

Can be very unpleasant -- reduce enjoyment (may increase likelihood of athletes quitting the team)

Increases anxiety (and error rate)Produces “fear of failure”

Using a Negative Approachto Change Behavior

Disadvantages (page 2)

Reduces “risk-taking”Can actually reinforce some undesirable behaviors and thus, actually increase your discipline problems

Wastes valuable practice time

Using a Negative Approachto Change Behavior

Disadvantages (page 3)

We often use physical activity as punishment

Running LapsRunning SprintsPush-upsSit-ups

Why Would You Ever UsePhysical Activity As Punishment?

You (like it or not) are a Physical Educator

One of the “benefits” of sport is that it promotes lifelong physical activity (health benefits)

Why would you ever use what you want to promote as punishment?

Negative and Positive Approachesto Changing Behavior

Major Assumption of Negative Approach to Coaching… We can somehow “scare” a bad performance right out of the athlete

Later we’ll be talking about anxiety, stress and motivation -- keep in mind that a negative approach will only increase the anxiety levels -- and probably hurt performance

If Using a Negative Coaching Style Is So Bad… How Do We Make

Those Necessary Changes?

A Positive Approach: Using the“Feedback Sandwich”

The Feedback Sandwich

(or “Big Mac” Attack)

Instruction

Encouragement

Reinforcement

Three Steps in The “Feedback Sandwich”

Step 1:

Start by reinforcing (praising) your athlete for ANYTHING he/she has done correctly -- regardless of how small

Step 1: Reinforce Something They’ve Done Right

Why?

Let’s break up into small groups and list all benefits you can think of for starting your “error correction” process by reinforcing something your learners have done correctly.

Step 1: Reinforce Something They’ve Done Right

It forces you to recognize that most of the performance was actually done correctly

It raises their self-esteem and confidence It reinforces correct elements of the

performance It’s the best way to get their attention

Step 2: Provide Future-Oriented Instruction

Follow the positive reinforcement (now that you have their attention) with FUTURE-ORIENTED instruction

Don’t dwell on the mistakes -- there is nothing the athlete can do to correct a mistake made in the past -- they can only change what they do in the future -- tell them what to do “next time”

Future-Oriented Instruction

Don’t tell them what they already know -- tell them something

they don’t know

Don’t simply tell them that they’ve made a mistake -- let them

know why they made the mistake

Step 3: End with General Praise and Encouragement

Why?Encourages them to try againLets them know you have confidence in

their ability to perform the skill correctly (Do You Really?)

Motivating Your Athletes(and Yourself)

Motivate Yourself First

How Do You Expect to Motivate Others If You Can’t Motivate Yourself First?

Motivation is Contagious

You Have to Control The Things YOU Have Control Over -- Nothing Else

T G I F M

YOU are the most IMPORTANT group of coaches in the country – take pride in your role as a youth sport coach

YOU coach for the shear love of the game and for the sake of the kids

We can do without college and pro coaches – but not without YOU

Think About This…

YOU are the most important adult in the lives of many of these kids

The players YOU work with exhibit a wider range of abilities

YOU lay the foundation upon which college and pro coaches build

Only YOU have to deal with parents

Think About This…

Always Remember…Our Players Come To Us Already Highly Motivated

Therefore…It’s Our Job To Maintain Our Players’ Natural Motivation To Play Our Sport

The $1,000,000 Question Is …What Can We, As Coaches, Do To Help Our Players Maintain Their Natural Motivation For Sport?

Always Remember…Our Players Come To Us Already Highly Motivated

The $1,000,000 Answer Is …

We Need To Learn Some Of The Basic Principles Of Motivation

Five “Guidelines” To Motivate Our Athletes

Guideline #1:

Identify why athletes participate and why they drop out

Guideline #2:

Through the use of “goal-setting” strategies, help athletes improve their skills and learn new skills

Five “Guidelines” To Motivate Our Athletes

Guideline #3:

Make the whole experience enjoyable and exciting

Guideline #4:

Reduce competitive stress

Guideline #5:

Teach an appropriate view of success

Guideline #1: Identify why athletes participate

and why they drop out

Why?

Let’s get into our small groups once again and come up with a list of reasons young athletes say they participate in youth sports.

What Does The Research Say?

Children Participate in Youth Sports...To Have FunTo Improve Skills and Learn New OnesFor Thrills and Excitement of

CompetitionTo Be With Friends and Make New OnesTo Succeed or Win

Guideline #1: Identify why athletes participate

and why they drop out

Why?

Let’s get into our small groups once again and come up with a list of reasons young athletes say they drop out of youth sports.

What Does The Research Say?

Children Drop Out Because of...Other interestsWorkLack of interestDid not play enoughSkills were not improvingDid not like the coach

Guideline #2: Use“goal-setting” strategies to help

athletes improve and learn skills

Help Everyone on Your Team Set Individual Goals

As Goals Are Attained, They Help Motivate! Athletes See Themselves Improving

The Most Effective Goals Are...

Realistic, but ChallengingTotally Under The Player’s ControlBased On Performance and Effort –

Not OutcomeShort- and Long-TermMade for Practice and CompetitionWritten DownEvaluated

Guideline #3: Make the whole experience

enjoyable and exciting

Keep practices and games fun Encourage athletes to be with, and make

friends Let all athletes participate Avoid boredom by varying routines

Guideline #3: Make the whole experience

enjoyable and exciting

Use simple, active drills (no standing around) and short practices

Use change of pace activities Allow athletes to try out leadership roles,

new positions, and make decisions -- after all, it’s their game isn’t it?

Guideline #4: Reduce Competitive Stress

Competitive Stress Occurs:When an athlete believes that a

competitive situation, especially one perceived as highly important, threatens his/her self-esteem

When an athlete believes that his/her capabilities are not good enough to meet the competitive demand

Guideline #4: Reduce Competitive Stress

Remember, YOU might be part of the “competitive demand”

Guideline #5: Teach An Appropriate

View of SuccessEncourage athletes to believe that real success means (notice the link to goal-setting):

Improving oneself (which ultimately enables winning)

Achieving realistic goals for improvement (not just the outcomes of competitions)

Guideline #5: Teach An Appropriate

View of SuccessGiving one’s best effort to improve at

all times (the athlete can control effort but not outcome)

A Couple Examples From the “Winningest” Coaches Around...

De La Salle High School(Concord, California)

151 Consecutive Wins

An Overall Record of 287-14-1

More Perfect Seasons (17) than losses (14)

ESPN’s #1 High School Team in the

Country 5 of the Last 6 Years

How Do You Win 151Football Games in a Row?

By NOT Setting a Goal to Win!

“Everyone asks me how I’ve won 151 straight games… my answer is always the same… BY NOT CONCENTRATING ON WINNING. If you work hard enough, the wins will come.

-- Bob Ladouceur, Head Coach

John Wooden, Coach ESPN’s “Coach of the Century”

10 NCAA Championships in 12 years

6 Times Voted “College Coach of the Year”

88 Consecutive Victories

38 Consecutive NCAA Tournament Wins

4 Undefeated Seasons

How Do You Becomethe Most Successful

Basketball Coach of All Time?

By NOT Setting a Goal to Win!

“I never mentioned winning or victory to my players. I never referred to beating an opponent. Instead I constantly urged them to strive for the self-satisfaction that comes with knowing you did your best.”

-- John Wooden, Head Coach

How Do You Becomethe Most Successful

Basketball Coach of All Time?

By NOT Setting a Goal to Win!

“Did I win? Did I lose?” Those are the wrong questions. The correct question is: “Did I make my best effort?” That’s what matters. The rest of it just gets in the way”

-- John Wooden, Head Coach

Five “Rules” For Sending Clear Messages

Rule #1:

Get and keep the attention of your listener (note the connection to the first step in the “feedback sandwich”)

Rule #2:

Use simple and direct language

Five “Rules” For Sending Clear Messages

Rule #3:

Check for understanding with your listener

Rule #4:

Be consistent by making sure your action match your words

Five “Rules” For Sending Clear Messages

Rule #5:

Combine verbal and non-verbal messages to communicate clearly

Three “Rules” For Listening Effectively

Remember What You’ve Always Been Told -- Communication is a Two-Way Street

Rule #1:

Listen to the speaker in a positive manner

Three “Rules” For Listening Effectively

Rule #2:

Listen to the speaker in an objective manner (“Others, too, have brains”)

Rule #3:

Express interest when listening to the athlete (or parent, official, coach, etc.)

Three “Rules” For Developing Sportsmanship

Rule #1:

Define appropriate and inappropriate behavior for your athletes

Rule #2:

Define rewards and penalties for sportsmanship

Three “Rules” For Developing Sportsmanship

Rule #3:

Use role models to demonstrate good sportsmanship

--- AND BE ONE YOURSELF!!!

Five “Rules” To Develop a Respect for Self and Others

Rule #1:

Never degrade anyone verbally or non-verbally

Rule #2:

Accept officials’ calls and approach them considerately

Five “Rules” To Develop a Respect for Self and Others

Rule #3:

Accept instruction and follow rules

Rule #4:

Never physically hurt someone

Rule #5:

Use positive self-talk when evaluating you performance

The One “Rule” to Encourage the Avoidance of Stereotyping

Rule:

Never use jokes or slurs that refer to race, gender, age, or physical characteristics of an individual

Two Ways to Develop Disciplinary Skills

#1) Define team rules for your athletes:Involve the athletes in determining these

team rulesUse clear, specific termsDefine rules prior to the beginning of the

seasonSeek advise from experienced coaches

Two Ways to Develop Disciplinary Skills

#2) Enforce team rules:Use meaningful rewardsNever use physical activity as punishmentAssess even “minor” infractionsReward immediately and consistentlyDiscipline immediately and consistently --

by withdrawing rewards