Be Positive - Coaching Tips 

by Coach Doug Reese, TTNL 

The goal with being a positive coach is to replace the "win at all costs" mentality with a culture that honors the game and provides each athlete with a positive, character building experience. 

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As a coach you need to realize that your words do matter: they can be words that build up, or words that destroy; they can be words of victory, or words of defeat to an athlete's ears. Be careful what you say, for your words carry weight and settle in your athlete's heart.

Five to One Ratio of Compliments to Criticisms

Athletes are more willing to listen to and incorporate a coach's criticism when it is mixed with a healthy dose of supportive comments.

Be Genuine and Specific with Any Compliments

General comments like "you're looking good" doesn't help the athlete much. And if you don't mean it, you will lose credibility with the athlete. A more effective technique is to praise the athlete such as, "I like how you are following through on your shot."

Beware of Non-Teachable Moments

Identify the appropriate lesson for the appropriate time. For example, the ride home after a competition where an athlete made a costly mistake is likely not the time to give technical instruction.

Athletes Talk First After Competitions

Letting the athlete talk first after the competition helps them release some anxiety and it helps them become better listeners when the coach does speak. It also allows the coach to gather valuable information about how the athletes saw the game, which can be more important than how the coach saw it.

Have Fun!

It is easy to lose sight of fun at big duals or tournaments. Take the time to remind the athletes what sport is all about. They are also more likely to perform better if they are having fun.