Coaching and Motivating Athletes

Presentation to the 21st Century Renaissance Conference 2002

Angela Dawson - Canada

Coaching / Mentoring Personal background Involving kids in sports Keeping youth motivated to the elite

level What you have to contend with What you need to do it How you do it

Coaching elite level athletes How do you keep the coach

motivated?

Personal background Father in charge of physical training

for the Canadian Army Sports instructor at Canadian

University Ski instructor and ski school Director National Sport Organization Manager

- alpine skiing Sport Program Officer for Canadian

Government Other leadership experience

Involving kids in sports Reasons for which kids are involved

in sports How to keep them involved

Involving kids in sports

Is this really coaching/mentoring? How does this relate to leadership -

leading people who are starting out in any given activity

Keeping youth motivated to the elite level

What you have to contend with: Society is full of “quick fixes”,

not continuous, slow, long term work

The athletes may have up to 10 years of training ahead of them

Keeping youth motivated to the elite level (Cont’d)

What you need to do 1. Believe in them 2. Make them believe in themselves 3. Help with goal setting within reality 4. Get the athlete to surpass the

coach 5. Get the athlete to understand the

process they have to go through and have them enjoy this process

Keeping youth motivated to the elite level (Cont’d)

How do you do it 1-2. Supportive comments from coaches 2. Don’t allow the athlete to get off easy 3. break down the goals to something that is

manageable (long and short term) 4. Individualize the program – outside

experts 5. Help the athlete enjoy the process by

trying new things 5. Allow the athlete to “look like a fool” until

they master the activity 5. Provide challenges - if it’s easy they are

not working

Keeping youth motivated to the elite level (Cont’d)

How does this relate to providing leadership? 1. Encouraging, praising etc. 2. Delegating, empowering 3. Goal setting 4. Getting expert opinions 5. Enjoying the plateau -

Mastering the skills

Coaching elite level athletes

The components of winning Getting a coach you trust Enjoying practising Being willing to surrender to the

sport Finding the winning edge Mind set (ability to concentrate -

psychological toughness)

Getting a coach you trust Enjoying practising

Coaching elite level athletes

Being willing to surrender to the sport

Coaching elite level athletes

Coaching elite level athletes

Finding the winning edge

Mind set (ability to concentrate - psychological toughness)

Coaching elite level athletes

Transferability of coaching How do lead people to have the

following winning traits? Getting a coach you trust Enjoying practising Being willing to surrender to the

sport Finding the winning edge Mind set (ability to concentrate -

psychological toughness)