Coaching Do's and Don'ts

By Caroline Silby, Ph.D.

DO:

Describe behavior of a poor attitude (head and eyes down, shoulders forward).
Provide athletes with specific actions to change behavior (change body language, use specific technical thought, take deep breath).
Listen attentively.
Validate athletes' feelings. You don't have to agree with it but don't discount it.
Talk directly with parents.
Maintain good judgment and common sense. Keep emotions under control. Be a model for appropriate ways to deal with anger and frustration.
Focus on corrections rather than mistakes.
Ask questions that focus athletes' attention on the controllable ("What can you do to make this dismount better?").
Assist athletes in changing their perspective (nervous or excited?).
Ask questions that focus athletes' attention on the positive ("What was good about floor today?").
Encourage hope for the future ("You're almost there and when you get your double back, it will be dynamite!", "What's it going to be like when you stick it?").
Be enthusiastic.
Concentrate on your objective and be determined to reach your goal.

DON'T:

This article was originally written for the US Gymnastics Program.