Coach-Player Interaction
Coaching is a challenging job, but it also is a rewarding one. One of the greatest challenges is communicating with your players about what they did wrong. It's never easy to address this issue. The following are some examples of how to address your players after they've made a good or bad play.
If the player has done something wrong:
- Don't yell at players in front of teammates, in front of opponents or during a match
- Treat your players as you would want your children treated
- Treat your players the same during a match as you do during practice
- Contact parents only after your best one-on-one efforts with have failed
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If the player has done something right:
- Tell them the moment it happens
- Send an email to parents
- Post it on the locker room wall
- Give a little award based on an achieved goal
Coach, don't dictate
Don't underestimate yourself as the team's leader. The most important aspect of coaching is being the team's support. Remember that no one's perfect, but push your team enough so that they will excel and achieve the team's goals. The following will help achieve this.
- Listen to your player's comments, concerns, and problems.
- Accept that your players will make mistakes, and help your players as they grapple with correcting their mistakes.
- Recognize their achievements in other areas of their life.
- Ask about what is going on in school and about their life in general.
