Creating a positive coaching climate is key to allowing athletes to achieve their true potential and it’s also an essential element of ensuring the best version of you is always presented whenever you coach.

“In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently”  – Tony Robbins

As people, we are generally creatures of habit so in terms of coaching this tends to mean we stick to what we know best. Unfortunately, a coaching style that motivates one athlete can actually be a style that de-motivates another.

In many cases, coaching a session becomes so routine that the coach is unaware of how his methods – or lack of them – are affecting those he coaches. Sports psychology 2 techniques allow coaches to identify strengths and potential weaknesses in their coaching style which can help change training sessions from one-size-fits-all experiences into much more motivational ones for all concerned.

What motivates an athlete can be complex but it’s essential that the coach learns to understand each athlete and, in the case of team sports, each player as an individual. For some, coaching is simply a case of yelling a lot and when things are not working out, yelling louder but without a positive climate in which to train, athletes or players are unlikely to perform well in the long run.

Positive coaching methods allow athletes to develop and grow. Negative coaching methods rarely achieve anything other than frustration and disappointment. For example, try the following simple sports psychology 2 exercise to understand a little more about coaching climates.

Here are two ways a coach might approach an athlete struggling to perfect a javelin throw:

1. “You’re not getting the distance because you’re doing it wrong. How many times have I told you, if you keep throwing like that you’re not going to qualify. Go and do it again but get it right this time…”
2. “That run up was much better so now let’s think about where you’re looking as you prepare to throw. Keep that run up and let’s try…”

Which method is likely to achieve the best results? The above are examples of verbal feedback a coach might give during a training session but even without spoken words, a positive or negative climate can be created by the coach’s body language or general attitude. Imagine the de-motivating effect of seeing your coach shake his head in disgust at your performance or of noticing that there’s no real point in actually trying to ask a question right after he’s said, “any questions?” because he always turns his back and walks off!

An effective coach will take time over creating a positive climate in which to nurture the potential of each individual athlete under his guidance. A positive coaching attitude will help to develop athletes with equally positive mental attitudes and positive attitudes lead to positive actions.

Sports psychology 2 techniques allow coaches to build on existing strengths and develop mind training methods that will keep them and their athletes on track to being the best they can be.

To learn more about sports psychology 2 techniques, check out the *NEW* updated Coaching Edge Mental Skills for sport course coming  soon! To register interest e-mail support@zonedinperformance.com