The Impact of Positive Coaching
The Impact of Positive Coaching
The importance of positive coaching is an aspect of our sport that carries so much weight both in and out of the gym. Setting the ToneThe coach is the main
The importance of positive coaching is an aspect of our sport that carries so much weight both in and out of the gym.
The coach is the main source of direction and influence; the expert that many athletes ceaselessly work to please. Along with coaches' knowledge comes immense power. They not only set the tone for practice, but also for what the athletes believe about themselves.
Being a positive coach doesn't equate to being a pushover or a coddler—there has to be a balance. A sport as rigorous and demanding requires an undeniable amount of focus from both the athlete and the coach. Positive coaches know how to approach this and handle "the identity problem."
When an athlete believes his/her worth directly correlates with his/her performance, unhealthy patterns are bound to develop. Gymnasts' identities as people are not found in their ability to make a correction, nail a landing, or win a meet. These can be great byproducts of discipline, tons of hard work, and the desire to constantly strive for perfection. But they are not what makes the athlete a valuable person.
Most athletes who have been in gymnastics for even a few years will attest to the mental challenge of seeking perfection day in and day out. The drive becomes intrinsic, and coaches should be there to help manifest that drive into something productive and positive.
Check out a recent post by Katelyn Trevino, a former gymnast who earned her master’s degree in positive coaching. Trevino was a coached by her dad as a child and found this video from her first gymnastics meet ever:
She wrote this inspiring reflection about her experience:
"This one was at my very first gymnastics meet and I had just fallen 3 times in my beam routine. I have always been so hard on myself even at this level. But look who was there at the end to pick me up and brush me off. My ‘popstar’ of course.
Instead of getting mad at me because I didn't do well or give me the cold shoulder because he was disappointed, he would restore my confidence. Every. Single. Time. And guess what? He didn't just do that because I was seven. He still picks me up after every fall and I'm 24 years old.
To all parents, coaches, and teachers out there, know that your kid probably already has that little negative critic in their head telling them they messed up or that they weren't good enough. They don't need another one. Be the restorer, the self-esteem builder, the voice that genuinely believes in them. It goes a long way. Trust me."
In gymnastics and in life, the stakes can be high and the pressure to succeed can be overwhelming, but even Olympians have found that self-worth and genuine joy isn’t found in a gold medal. It is found in who we are as people, and it's up to all of us—whether we're coaches, athletes, parents, or friends—to treat others in a way that positively impacts their world.
Related:
Top 10 Coaches Moments From 2015 P&G Championships
The Coaching Paradigm: What Does It Take To Be The Best?
Setting the Tone
The coach is the main source of direction and influence; the expert that many athletes ceaselessly work to please. Along with coaches' knowledge comes immense power. They not only set the tone for practice, but also for what the athletes believe about themselves.
Being a positive coach doesn't equate to being a pushover or a coddler—there has to be a balance. A sport as rigorous and demanding requires an undeniable amount of focus from both the athlete and the coach. Positive coaches know how to approach this and handle "the identity problem."
The Identity Problem
When an athlete believes his/her worth directly correlates with his/her performance, unhealthy patterns are bound to develop. Gymnasts' identities as people are not found in their ability to make a correction, nail a landing, or win a meet. These can be great byproducts of discipline, tons of hard work, and the desire to constantly strive for perfection. But they are not what makes the athlete a valuable person.
Most athletes who have been in gymnastics for even a few years will attest to the mental challenge of seeking perfection day in and day out. The drive becomes intrinsic, and coaches should be there to help manifest that drive into something productive and positive.
Seeing it in Action
Check out a recent post by Katelyn Trevino, a former gymnast who earned her master’s degree in positive coaching. Trevino was a coached by her dad as a child and found this video from her first gymnastics meet ever:
She wrote this inspiring reflection about her experience:
"This one was at my very first gymnastics meet and I had just fallen 3 times in my beam routine. I have always been so hard on myself even at this level. But look who was there at the end to pick me up and brush me off. My ‘popstar’ of course.
Instead of getting mad at me because I didn't do well or give me the cold shoulder because he was disappointed, he would restore my confidence. Every. Single. Time. And guess what? He didn't just do that because I was seven. He still picks me up after every fall and I'm 24 years old.
To all parents, coaches, and teachers out there, know that your kid probably already has that little negative critic in their head telling them they messed up or that they weren't good enough. They don't need another one. Be the restorer, the self-esteem builder, the voice that genuinely believes in them. It goes a long way. Trust me."
Conclusion
In gymnastics and in life, the stakes can be high and the pressure to succeed can be overwhelming, but even Olympians have found that self-worth and genuine joy isn’t found in a gold medal. It is found in who we are as people, and it's up to all of us—whether we're coaches, athletes, parents, or friends—to treat others in a way that positively impacts their world.
Related:
Top 10 Coaches Moments From 2015 P&G Championships
The Coaching Paradigm: What Does It Take To Be The Best?