Basketball talk is something athletes discuss on the daily. Sometimes it is easy to express and other times not so much. It can be easy at times for athletes because of who we talk too. We can tell our friends anything and tell our teammates even more. When it comes to coaches, athletes end up shying away because they are an authority figure, our boss, the man in charge. How do athletes tell their coach that they want to be coached differently or what helps them mentally prepare for games?
Coaches always want the best for their players. They want to make sure they are dedicated, working hard, trying their best, and interested in improving. So, lets say your coach was a basketball star. Their coach used to yell in his face, tell him he was never good enough, made him drill certain skills for hours, etc. Your coach is now that type of coach. He uses that as motivation, made him work harder, and made him the best athlete he could have been. Due to this working for him when he was an athlete, he thinks this is the best way to coach you as well. Well, not everyone likes to be coached the same way.
If you feel like a coach is just trying their best to be a good coach, but not doing it the way you like to be coached, you have the right to let them know what works best for you. The thing is, communication is key with your coaches. Maybe they don’t know it is hard for you to meet their exceptions, or they expect you to be the best at all times, have higher standards than your own, or get upset when you make a mistake in a game. They could be accidentally putting a lot of pressure on you. Communicate with your coaches so you and them can both have a clear mind while competing and peace of mind in general. The last thing you want is to have a bad relationship with your coaches over miscommunication. Take the first step and speak up. I promise you it will help with your athletic performance.
Written by:
Sarah Grippi
Basketball Mindset