The Power of Words

"Be mindful when it comes to your words. A string of some that don't mean much to you may stick with someone else for a lifetime." -Rachel Wolchin.

Words mean power. In sports, I believe that we underestimate the effect that may have on the athlete. I have seen many instances during my coaching experience in which a coach shouts aggressively at a player highlighting the mistake. I always wonder whether the athlete actually needs the coach to shout about the mistake. Don't they know they made a mistake? Can they undo it? No. Will your shouting help? I highly doubt it.

There are many aspects of our language that we can adapt to without much effort. In this blog, I will put forward some basic techniques that might help you in your coaching. Spoiler alert - these techniques require repetition and consistency.

1. Use Positive Language: Framing your feedback in a good way is important. Use words and tone to express encouragement and gratitude. Positive language promotes confidence and pushes athletes to keep working hard.

Example: "I’m really impressed with your dedication and hard work. Keep it up, and you'll achieve even greater results!"

2. Praise Effort and Improvement: Acknowledge not only the accomplishments but also the effort and improvement. Recognise and reinforce the hard work and determination athletes put into their training and applaud them for their progress. Praising the effort will further reinforce the athletes' commitment in being successful. Focus on the input for a successful output.

Example: "Good-effort with trying that technique. You'll get it next time".

3. Be Genuine and Sincere: Authenticity is key. Athletes can often sense when you are lying. Be genuine in your praise, and athletes will be more receptive to your feedback.

Example: "How was school today? Are you doing well in your English class?

4. Use Non-Verbal Communication: Positive feedback can also be communicated through gestures, such as a pat on the back, a thumbs-up, or a high-five. Non-verbal cues reinforce the positive message and create a sense of team spirit. In the group I coach, we have a rule that after the session ends, they high five the coaches.

5. Encourage Self-Reflection and Dialogue: Guide athletes to reflect on their performance and identify their strengths. Encourage them to set their own goals and recognise their achievements, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their progress. Also help them in communicating their frustrations and set achievable goals to reach them.

Example: "Take a moment to reflect on your game today. How do you feel?

6. Balance Positive and Constructive Feedback: While positive feedback is essential, there are times when constructive feedback is necessary for improvement. Balance positive reinforcement with constructive suggestions, focusing on areas for growth without diminishing the athlete's self-esteem. Once again, acknowledge the effort made and also offer your support.

Example: "Your passing accuracy has improved, and I can see you've been working hard. To further develop your technique, could we focus on your weight of pass?"

As you can see, none of these tips require any money or additional work. It just requires consciousness of the words we use and awareness that what we say can last much longer than a mere sports session.