Motivation.
MOTIVATIONAL STYLE
1. Leaving a player's development totally up to the individual is often counterproductive. Here, players often feel abandoned.
2. In using fear as a motivational factor or using a negative approach, one should keep in mind some assumptions being made:
The leader is always correct and therefore should be followed. Fear is applied when a mistake is made, pointing out what the mistake is, but rarely telling how to correct it. The player learns what not to do, but not what do to. This approach may work when a team is winning, but can be lethal while losing. Players then have to deal not only with losing but with the fear of punishment as well.
3. Some of the following results can be expected:
Built up anger in the players; players may unconsciously wish the coach to fail and may in fact act on this wish. Fear can erode respect for the coach; they will not see the
coach as a knowledgeable educator, but as a heartless fear producer. Fear reduces learning efficiency; the athlete's focus is on the fear of making a mistake which leads to mistakes. It may lead to passive retaliation, especially when the coach is
not around. It destroys creativity and spontaneity and does not allow the strength of the team to be tapped by letting the players speak openly. It can produce a "prisoner effect" where a certain glee is
produced when a certain rule is broken behind the coach's back. It destroys team cohesion.
It eliminates fun; it may turn the athlete off from the sport completely.
MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS:
1. Coaches are educators. Their subject matter is the game.
2. Establish your own personality.
3. Values are "caught", not "taught".
4. Discipline: The more structure the better. Have clearly defined goals and a plan of attack for when you encounter inappropriate behavior. Act swiftly, appropriately and early. Do not take inappropriate behavior personally. Know your players' names and what makes them "tick".
5. Remember the four cardinal rules: Progression.
Avoid having players waiting in long lines.
Have fun.
The game is the best teacher.
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