by Dr. Alan Goldberg
The very best coaches GET THEIR ATHLETES TO BELIEVE in themselves – Good coaches inspire their players to do more than they think they can. In fact, all good teachers do this. They get their students to entertain possibilities that stretch the limits of their beliefs. Part of this involves building the athlete up rather than knocking him down. Good coaches always build self-esteem rather than undermine it. This self-esteem building is not a gimmick nor is it done artificially. In other words the coach doesn’t praise a mediocre effort. He/she simply makes it a practice to catch his/her athletes doing things right. The good coach doesn’t get caught up in playing head games that leave the athlete questioning his/her abilities.
