Ask the Experts - Coaching
Answers from Brian Mackenzie:
Q. I am a coach for a youth team teenagers and am having some problems with their attitude, and am finding that I am loosing their interest - can you help?
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Answer:How to succeed with young athletes:
Find out from the athletes why they are there. Is it to have fun, meet other people, make friends, develop their sport skills, achieve success or get fit? Once we know why they are there then the training can be tailored to meet their needs.
When setting training for young athletes we need to take into consideration their chronological age, development age and their training age (how long they have been training). Training sessions need to be challenging but ultimately achievable. What is easy for one teenager may be hard for another who then may loose interest.
As coaches, we provide feedback on their performance. I ask my athletes for feedback on my performance and find out from them what they enjoyed or disliked about the session. Feedback from the athletes may help identify why they are losing interest and identify what types of activities they enjoy most. There will always be training elements that are essential but not necessarily enjoyable – an explanation as to why these elements are important and how they will assist them improve their performance will help in getting them to accept these elements.
The following points may help when working with young athletes:
- encourage athletes to have strong-minded attitudes and self-assertiveness
- structure the athlete's training programmes with realistic, achievable and progressive targets
- recognise the athlete's achievements with positive enthusiasm
- advise athletes on proper diet and training
- convince athletes that their successes are due to their own ability, attitude and training
- insist on correct technique at all times
- use appropriate well balanced conditioning programmes
- display high standards of personal behaviour and appearance - be a role model
- place the well being and safety of the athlete above the development of performance
- treat all athletes with equality
- encourage athletes to ask questions about their training and tell you what they think
- accept responsibility for their conduct and discourage inappropriate behaviour in training and competition
- give all athletes in your training groups equal attention
- be sensitive to the non-verbal signals being transmitted by the athletes (their faces usually give a good indication of how they feel)
- provide variety, enjoyment and fun
