I have written about competitive sports before as it is an area I have been working in for the past few years. I find that in any sport, or in fact in any club a child participates in, effective communication is key between the child and their coaches/teacher/manager/trainer.
In sports it is paramount for a child’s development, both athletically and emotionally as when they feel able to articulate their needs, what they like doing or their worries to their coach, they feel supported and hopefully, they can get better at that sport and thrive.
Of course, this relationship has to be two-way for it to work and the coach has to be able to listen and take on board what the child is saying. The coach also has to be able to get the most out of the child through a well-chosen use of words.
In competitive sports, maintaining high self-esteem and confidence is crucial for a child to perform at their best. Being able to communicate with their coach allows a child to express what builds them up and what breaks them down. They can convey their strengths, weaknesses, and areas where they need support. By doing so, they empower themselves to take control of their athletic journey and maximise their potential. They have to be able to do this without fear of how the coach is going to respond and if the coach is not supportive or able to listen to their concerns then maybe it isn’t the right coach for them.
Effective Communication Builds Trust
Effective communication enables the coach to understand the individual needs of the child, tailoring their coaching approach accordingly. Having this personalised approach builds trust and respect between the coach and the child as the coach is taking the child’s needs seriously. However, effective and honest communication can also hurt. A child has to be resilient in order to accept constructive criticism from their coach without letting it negatively impact their self-esteem or performance. They have to view feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than as a reflection of their worth as athletes.
The relationship between a coach and their athlete can be a really special one as they both have the same goal to succeed and do well. That means both parties have to be committed to being open about how they feel and what needs to be tweaked. Open communication is encouraged and valued as a coach empowers their young athlete to reach their full potential.
I work with lots of different children competing at a high level in their sport. I help them with building resilience and a positive mindset in sport to help build a future champion! If you have a child who you feel could use some help with communication or a confidence boost in their chosen sport feel free to call me.
