A coach plays an important role in the development of the players and the team. A coach must not only demonstrate competence in the game, he must also have in-depth knowledge of his players and opponents. But more importantly, what separates a good coach from a great coach is the ability to provide much-needed inspiration to keep your team going.
Here are two strategies that I used to inspire my players when I was a basketball coach.
Strategy n. # 1: To inspire confidence, remind your players of obstacles they have overcome in the past.
Not all games will turn out perfectly fine. Some games can be a disaster even though you and your team have been preparing for it all season. Some opponents may be stronger than your team expected. As a coach, how can you inspire quick confidence in your team to overcome these challenges?
One effective strategy I discovered is to remind your players of the past achievements they have made or the past obstacles they have overcome. For example, if your team is behind the opponent by 15 points during the fourth quarter, inspire your team by reminding them of a previous game where they have hit a 17 point deficit in a quarter to win the game against a seemingly better opponent. strong. The more relevant the past achievement is to the current obstacle, the more effective the example will be.
Therefore, part of your duty as a coach is to take note of these achievements, whether they were achieved individually or as a group, or whether they were achieved during practice sessions or during competitive matches.
Strategy n. # 2: let your players visualize the desired outcome
Finally, allow your players to clearly visualize the desired outcome of the game. Your main role as a coach is to take your players from ‘Point A’ to ‘Point B’; from a losing team to a winning team, from inexperienced players to solidly experienced players, and so on.
But before your players can reach ‘Point B’ (whatever goal you have set for ‘Point B’), you need to allow them to constantly visualize what it will be like if they have achieved it. How does it feel to win that championship? What does it look like to master this complex maneuver? How does it feel to have achieved the goals you have set for the season?
Keep them focused through visualizations. If your inspirational speech doesn’t allow your players to visualize where they want to be, your speech has failed.
Conclution
These two strategies have worked wonders for me as a coach, and I’m sure they can work very well for you, if implemented in the right way. Get out there and employ these strategies for your next coaching session and enjoy the great results it can potentially bring to your team!
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