Creating and Training Resilient Athletes

What a fantastic webinar we had last week! Andy Pai, along with Phil Shoemaker, head coach at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and I answered numerous questions from over 200 coaches. With a combined experience of about 100 years, we shared valuable insights and knowledge to help these coaches succeed in their first year. It’s heartening to see that our efforts have been impactful.

During the webinar, I noticed something interesting. While our coaches genuinely care about their players, many of them tend to focus on fixing their players’ problems instead of guiding them. This paradox is common among coaches, teachers, and parents. Our intention may be to help, but intervening too soon and providing solutions can prevent players from developing their problem-solving skills. It also leads to dependency on coaches for answers instead of fostering independent thinking. As a result, athletes become less resilient.

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Developing resiliency in athletes is one of the most important things a coach can do. We often emphasize the “Right here, Right now” mentality for players and teams. This mindset encourages athletes to focus on continuous improvement, one point at a time, throughout matches and tournaments. It’s about raising averages in a game that is filled with the chaos of randomness. This type of training is crucial for athletes to retain what they learn and adapt their skills to novel situations. It may look a bit chaotic on the surface, but it accelerates learning and improves long-term memory retention.

As coaches, we need to embrace the randomness of our sport and be patient when errors occur. Both good and bad streaks will happen. Instead of fixating on outcomes, we should maintain a calm and consistent approach, focusing on mastery rather than immediate results.

INTENT vs. RESULT

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When coaching, it’s essential to focus on the intent rather than solely on the result. During a recent practice, I had a conversation with one of the talented players on my team. She had just made a great serve that went slightly long, and her body language showed frustration. I used this as a teachable moment. While acknowledging her disappointment, I emphasized the intent behind her serve choice, which was excellent. I also discussed the positive and negative error options she had considered. Even though she missed her mark, her intent was spot on, and that’s what matters at this stage of her development.

Helping is NOT Fixing

As coaches, our goal should be to guide players to discover solutions rather than offering them outright. This approach aligns with my coaching philosophy of Developing Amazing Leaders. Through volleyball, we have the opportunity to cultivate leadership, problem-solving, and resiliency skills in each player. On my team, we have specific expectations that contribute to this growth:

1. Players are responsible for bringing their own water bottles; they cannot rely on parents to provide them.
2. They are encouraged to serve to the weakest passer or the toughest-to-pass areas of the court based on their experience and the information we provide.
3. Players have the authority to call a timeout to celebrate successes or discuss game-related matters.
4. It’s important to understand that the game will have ups and downs, and players should focus on playing with passion and joy, concentrating on the current point rather than past or future points.
5. We prioritize understanding the “why” over the “how.”

Thoughts on Resiliency

In addition to the points mentioned above, I want to share some other thoughts on developing resiliency in players. Here are a few key ideas:

1. Catch them on the comeback path: As coaches, we should acknowledge and praise behaviors that show resilience, even if the scoreboard doesn’t reflect success. Celebrate their effort and progress.
2. Seek first to understand, before being understood: Empathy is a crucial skill for coaches. By developing this quality, we can better connect with our players and create a supportive environment.
3. Be consistent and respectful: Inconsistency and disrespect hinder the development of resilient players. Avoid using words like “always” and “never” and instead provide specific and respectful feedback.
4. Focus on mastery over outcome: Numerous studies have shown that emphasizing mastery has a more significant impact on players’ growth than focusing solely on tournament results.
5. Teach and show adaptation: Encourage players to think creatively, change lineups, and develop non-traditional skills.
6. Coach to the individual: Take the time to understand each player’s unique needs and interests. Show them that you care about their overall well-being, not just their performance on the court.
7. Miztakes r oportunies to lern: Mistakes are part of the learning process. Creating an environment where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities helps develop resilient athletes.
8. Guide their discovery, but don’t give them all the answers: Provide hints and guidance without giving them the solution. This approach fosters better learning and problem-solving skills.
9. Let them influence you: Allow players to have a say in team decisions, such as serving or receiving strategies, lunch choices, and practice activities. Giving them a sense of ownership helps develop resilience.
10. Remember coach, there is a reason we have TWO eyes, TWO ears, and ONE mouth: We should always prioritize listening and observing before speaking. Understanding their perspective is vital to effective coaching.

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Increasing Deliberate Practice of Resiliency Through Reading

Apart from on-court training, reading can be an excellent way to develop resiliency in players. Here are a few recommended books and websites on the topic:

Books:

1. “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand: This true story of Louie Zamperini, written by the author of “Seabiscuit,” is a gritty and inspiring read about wit, persistence, and the will to succeed.
2. “A Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl: This timeless classic explores the power of attitude and choice, providing valuable insight into resilience.
3. “Vision of a Champion” by Anson Dorrance: Although a soccer-specific book, it offers valuable lessons on how to become a resilient competitor in team sports.
4. “Get with it Girls – Life is About Competition” by Teri Clemens: Written specifically for volleyball girls, this book provides meaningful insights to share with your team.

Websites:

1. “A Nation of Wimps”: This website provides guidance on raising strong and resilient children.
2. “Raising Resilient Children”: A helpful website with insights and tips on developing resiliency in children.

By incorporating deliberate practice of resiliency both on and off the court, you can help your athletes become more resilient, adaptable, and successful. Remember, building resilience takes time, patience, and consistent effort.

Nguồn: https://www.alpinetgheep.com
Danh mục: Volleyball