Creating a culture where parents, coaches and ultimately the youth athletes respect the process of skill development more so than focusing on the result is vital to creating an environment where kids can learn.
Youth athletes are going to fail more than they succeed. As kids are learning new techniques and skills, they are going to be asked to try new things or adopt a new way of performing a movement. Inevitably, they aren’t going to have immediate success and if managed incorrectly the kids will be hesitant to try something new if judged solely by the result.
Shooting a basketball is a great example of how focusing too much on the result actually inhibits skill development. We’ve all seen the kid who shoots the ball with two hands. When asked to shoot the ball with one hand he understandably struggles to make shots and loses confidence. So what does he do? He reverts back to the two handed shot so he can see the ball occasionally go in the basket.
Understanding the psychology of why a youth athlete resists change is important for coaches to truly create a learning and teaching environment. While each child is different let’s consider the reward athletes receive, most often in form of accolades from parents. Rarely, if ever, do you hear a fan applauding a player for attempting a shot using the correct method. Instead the applause comes when a basket is scored. So if a player is more likely (in their mind) to make a basket shooting with two hands. it’s easy to understand their hesitancy to get worse before they get better. The youth athlete is being conditioned to focus more on the result instead of the process.
It’s vital, especially when coaching young children, to cast a long term vision for the athlete. Take them to a high school basketball game and let them watch the older boys perform the skills they are being introduced in their 2nd grade practice. At the same time explain how these older athletes went through a progression similar to the one they are experiencing. Create an environment where making mistakes is o.k. and celebrated because that means progress is being made.
Reward commitment to the process and you’ll develop an athlete with discipline and fearlessness.
