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- Motivation is a major factor in sports that distinguishes top performers from underperforming athletes. Some athletes have an inner drive to push beyond their previous performances and break records, while others need more guidance. This is where the encouragement from coaches and fellow team members makes the difference. This article will show you proven strategies for motivating your youth team to help them excel at their sport.
Offer Awards
Sports awards can serve as a major motivation for athletes. When they know that they’ll receive a trophy or some other form of recognition, they’ll be encouraged to work harder. To give your award more meaning, personalize it with dates, names, powerful messages, quotes, or statements that show the athlete why they deserve that recognition. A trophy store by EDCO.com emphasizes that ‘’Adding your personal touch honors the recipient and fosters a culture of gratitude within the team.’’
It sends a powerful message to your team that you value and recognize their individual contributions toward the team’s success. Imagine the emotional impact of such a personalized award on the athlete as it serves as a tangible recognition of their dedication and hardwork. If you make award personalization a custom, you will inspire other team members to strive for excellence and set higher goals.
Get to Know Each Team Member Outside the Pitch
Being a youth sports coach gives you the opportunity to be a positive influence on young athletes. You can be instrumental in helping them envision their future and see themselves through new eyes. Also, you can help them see that their little accomplishments are just what they need for long-term success.
So, take the time to know each player outside the pitch and discover why they chose your sport out of all the choices they had. Doing this will allow you to contribute towards their growth during each season and make a lasting impact on them.
Set Goals Throughout The Season
Set specific and measurable team and individual goals for your players throughout the season. Giving them specific targets in this way motivates and gives them a sense of control, ultimately improving the team’s performance. Also, it helps boost the confidence of your young athletes, making them believe in their ability to succeed.
Do not base the goals around the outcomes of games or championships because the athlete may not be able to control such outcomes. Instead, make the goals process-oriented such that it shows your athletes what they should focus on when practicing a skill. For instance, for a basketball player, you can have them visualize shooting free throws perfectly every night or shooting 100 extra free throws in a week and recording them. For an ice hockey athlete, you can have the person work on improving their speed on the ice to quickly get back and play defense when the hockey puck is close to the team’s goal.
Remember, goals don’t always have to be athletically oriented. You can help the athlete identify some academic goals to tackle, such as a challenging subject in class. This can be a great way to illustrate hard work, dedication, and patience. Encourage the athlete to write down their goals and discuss how they plan to achieve them. Help them break down bigger goals into little chunks and periodically check in with them on their goals.
Provide Feedback
Let your athletes know when they perform well and what areas need improvement. When possible, deliver feedback right away in a clear and specific manner. Avoid being too critical so you don’t demotivate them. Instead, offer advice or instruction in a positive way that shows them how to improve their skills for better performance.
When providing feedback, recognize each athlete’s growth and effort at every level so that they know how much you respect their work. This will motivate them to continually put in a reasonable effort. Also, ensure that each team member gets feedback tailored to their current playing level. For instance, you might choose to praise a new player for almost making a play and correct a skilled athlete for a dropped pass. Focus on helping each person improve their technique, but avoid making comparisons when providing feedback.
Work on Being a Good Role Model
Be enthusiastically involved in the sport you coach to create a sense of relatability for your athletes. Support the industry, attend associated events, and participate in the sports you coach. This will set you up as a good role model to your team.
