How to Establish a Positive Relationship Between Coach and Athlete (Part 1 of 3 -Differentiated Inst
In order to develop a positive relationship with your gymnasts, it is important to understand the individual needs of each athlete. Despite the amount of years you have been coaching, it is unrealistic to assume that the same coaching strategies will work for each athlete you come across. Each athlete you encounter will possess different temperaments and will be motivated by different reinforcements. They will reveal varying athletic talents and areas of needed improvement. Each athlete will even demonstrate different leadership and communication abilities. So how, as one coach, can you meet all the needs of your athlete; while simultaneously building a strong, positive relationship? Your answer is differentiated instruction.
Differentiated Instruction is a “teacher term” that most coaches tend to do naturally. This philosophy focuses on delivering individualized instruction based on the needs of each student or athlete. Not all athletes will benefit from same avenue of learning; however, as the instructor, we must find ways to successfully meets the needs of each athlete. Despite the necessity of incorporating this type of instruction into your practice, it can be quite challenging for both small and large athletic programs.
One tip to help individualize your instruction would be to include skill specific side stations, drills, and conditioning to help develop an athlete’s area of need. This is a good way to differentiate your instruction without singling out an athlete. While the majority of the team will benefit from your planning, the athletes in need of slower progressions, skill-specific strengthening, or additional repetitions can receive the individual support without feeling self-conscious. For example,you might notice that one of your gymnasts is beginning to get frustrated with a specific skill. Rather than having the athlete continue to attempt the skill without proper understanding of the correction, you can break the drill down into parts. This allows the gymnast to focus on one area of the skill (i.e. straight knees). Being proactive and providing the opportunities for gymnasts to practice parts of skills in isolation, not only helps develop body positioning for all athletes, but helps specific athletes build on their areas of need.
Another way to differentiate your instruction is by providing athletes with positive reinforcement. In order to increase the likely hood of skill-specific corrections and favorable behavior, we like to use “compliment sandwiches.” This phrase is used describe the delivery of criticism; a critique is “sandwiched” between two positive statements. For example, “Jenny! That was a better turn. Try and straighten your left knee when you kick over. I liked how you had straight arms!”
Now you are probably asking yourself, “what about the other type of kid? The kid who might display an attitude, is defensive when receiving corrections, communicates a lack of open-body language. How do I differentiate my instruction for ‘that kid’?” Well, our biggest advice is to KNOW your athletes. Some athletes can feel overwhelmed criticism. Focus on your delivery. Focus on building each individual athlete’s understanding of their strengths, and allowing them time to process their deficits. You have the opportunity to control the climate of a practice. If you are tense and frustrated, your athletes will echo that. By firmly understanding your athletes and by tailoring your instruction to meet their needs, you are able to build a positive environment that your athletes feel safe and comfortable learning in.
This week, we have included a resource for all of our coaches! Growing as a coaches requires us to be reflective. The exercise that we have provided asks you to reflect on your coaching style. How are you delivering corrections? Are you providing your athletes with positive reinforcement? Are you individualizing your instruction to meet the needs of all of your gymnasts? Take a look at our coaching resources section. The reflection handout can be found under practice management!
Next week, we will begin discussing how effective communication is another component of building a positive relationship with our athletes. See you next week.
