Exactly what is it about playing on your home turf that creates an advantage? Most coaches and athletes will tell you it's all about having the palpable (if not audible!) support of the "home" fans. Sport psychologists and coaches such as Tim Hanley (San Jose Earthquakes) and Rob Baarts (University of Portland) will tell you it's all about athletes having a full "Emotional Tank".
When an athlete's E-Tank is low, there is no way that they can perform their best. When E-Tanks are full, athletes are most likely to play at their optimal level of performance. Research indicates that there is a "Magic Ratio" of 5 positives (truthful and specific) to every 1 constructive criticism. "The best way to think about this is in terms of 6 bits of coaching advice," says Coach Hanley.
Tools to Fill the Emotional Tank
- Teach and discuss Emotional Tanks
The more athletes get comfortable with the vocabulary of the E-Tank, the easier it will be for them to apply the idea to their lives. So introduce the concept early in the season.
- Buddy system - excellent drill for youth athletes
Pair kids up before practice, or before a specific drill, and ask them to fill each other's tanks. At the end of the time, ask kids to share what others did to fill their tanks. TIP: Ask kids what their partner did to fill their tank (not what they did to fill their partner's tank).
- Develop Player Coaches - excellent drill for high school and older athletes
Ask rather than tell: When a player makes a mistake, ask what they might do differently next time, rather than telling them. Usually, players already know what they did wrong. Even if they don't, it is important to encourage them to become thinking players.
Ask players what they think of certain drills or what they think the team needs to work on. Instill a sense of ownership and investment in the team and increase players' motivation by soliciting input on team decisions.
This is for a player we have trouble connecting with. We do not tell him or her that they are player of the day, rather we focus our energy on finding positive things (true ones - we're not going to make them up) about this player and filling his/her E-Tank. This technique helps the particular athlete feel better about him- or herself and makes the coach feel better about the player as well.
As Yogi Berra reportedly said, "It's amazing what you can see if you look."
To learn more about the US Club Soccer-PCA Partnership, or bringing the benefits of Positive Coaching to your club, visit Positive Coaching Alliance at www.PositiveCoach.org
[Adapted from US Club Soccer June 2005 Newsletter, www.usclubsoccer.com]