Motivation. This word strikes anxiety in some, fear and loathing in others. Whether you are attempting to motivate someone or trying to motivate yourself to achieve a goal, it is no easy feat. In terms of coaching in youth sports, the additional challenge is attempting to motivate young people to excel in a given sport.
So how DO I motivate young athletes to achieve greatness? First and foremost, you want to recognize that motivating young athletes is essential for their enjoyment, engagement, and growth in sports. Motivation is the driving force to keep the pipeline flowing for young people to enter athletics. Here are three foolproof methods that youth coaches can use to motivate young athletes:
Set Goals… Attainable Ones
As you undergo the process of developing your team, it will be important for you to help each of your players to set specific, realistic, and attainable goals. You can even break down long-term objectives into smaller, achievable milestones. Keep in mind that these things do not have to be focused on athletics. They can be academic or social goals as well. Goals and objectives that you can help set for your players, can include things such as, but not limited to:
1) becoming proficient at performing a particular practice drill
2) memorizing the top 10 plays that your team uses the most
3) reading a book, related to the sport in question
Tackling and achieving these types of goals, allows athletes to track their progress and experience a sense of accomplishment along the way. This feeling of accomplishment can potentially spread to other players on the team, who may not be as motivated as the others.
Consistently encourage your players to set both individual and team goals, without any input from you. Players/Teams who heed this recommendation from you, can foster a genuine sense of a shared purpose. As these various goals are achieved, regularly revisit and celebrate the achievement of these goals to maintain motivation and momentum to set even more milestones going forward.
Provide Positive Reinforcement
As you work with your young players, offer frequent and specific positive feedback on their performance and attitude. Highlight their strengths, efforts, improvements and point out to them the areas that need improvement. Acknowledge their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship.
Positive reinforcement not only boosts self-confidence but also encourages athletes to continue striving for success. Emphasize the process rather than just the outcome, focusing on the value of continuous effort, learning, and personal growth. It can also be helpful to provide constructive criticism, as long as it is done with a kind heart. There are always areas that
Create A Supportive Environment
From the beginning of your coaching career, you must promote a positive team atmosphere. Encourage mutual respect, support, and teamwork among the athletes on your team. Create opportunities for athletes to build relationships, collaborate, and celebrate each other’s achievements. Create a type of buddy system on your team, where you pair seasoned players with not-so seasoned players to help develop them. Implement best practices that will help to make all of your athletes feel valued and included. Remember…You win as a team and you lose as team.
In Conclusion: Are YOU a great motivator?
Being a youth coach, invariably elevates you to motivator status for your team. The question is, are you enthusiastic and energetic enough to become successful in this regard? It is important that you lead by example, exhibiting enthusiasm, passion, and a positive attitude towards your players. Building personal connections with young athletes and getting to know their individual goals, interests, and motivations can also help tailor your approach to meet their specific needs. By applying these methods regularly, you can successfully motivate your players and create an environment where they can thrive on many levels.
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