Sport Coach Development: Helping Athletes Perform Better by Adapting How You Communicate
By working with David Charlton, you and your organisation will be better equipped to rise to modern day challenges and better informed to thrive on and off the pitch, course or court. Where he inspires individuals and teams to:
- Cope with pressure and challenges more effectively
- Maintain positive mental health
- Compete with confidence more often
- Manage your emotions better
- Improve your commitments levels
David is a Mental Toughness Practitioner, as well as a Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist. He has successfully supported athletes, teams and organisations for over 10 years in order to ensure that they perform at their maximum more often.
He has a comprehensive knowledge around the development of Mental Toughness, a plastic personality trait, which determines or limits people to deal effectively with change, challenges and stressors. In today’s climate, during the Coronavirus pandemic this quality is becoming more and more valuable to individuals, teams and organisations.
In this solo episode I share some ideas for sport coaches so that they help develop mental strength in their athletes and teams. The methods I discuss are in contrast to what some people often consider as the way to develop Mental Strength or Mental Toughness by creating fear cultures, pushing athletes to their limits and dishing out punishments. I’m hopeful this episode will destroy that particular myth where I dig into the importance of social support and the different types of social support you can offer your athletes. Teachers and parents will likely find the insights and case studies helpful too.
Key Learning Points
- As a Sports Psychologist we are often tasked with “fixing” problems that athletes may be experiencing. These problems can be influenced by genetics, the athletes home environment, personality traits, value clashes, parenting, off pitch or course issues, the club or organisations culture. The problems can also be influenced hugely by coaches.
- A coach’s role is multifaceted and complex as are the individuals they work with.
- The benefits of good communication and excellent social support for athletes include fewer burnout symptoms, improved sporting performance, better transitions from junior to adult sport and reduced anxiety.
- Different types of social support include: listening support, emotional support. emotional challenge, reality confirmation support, task appreciation support and task challenge support.
- Consider the age and the experience of the athlete when deciding how much social support you will provide as a coach. Research tells us that younger and less experienced athletes may require more social support from their coach than the older and more experienced athletes.
- As a coach you may also want to consider the skill level of the athlete. Elite athletes are likely to need different social support strategies than recreational athletes.
Connect with David Charlton
Download THE FOCUSED ATHLETE CHECKLIST
Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
Relevant Podcast Episodes
Ep039: John Fletcher – How to Develop Fearless Athletes
Ep041: Paul McGee – How to Develop Interpersonal Confidence
Ep064: Edu Rubio – How to Support Young Footballers
Ep065: Dr Amy Izycky – Encouraging Mentally Healthy Cultures in Sport
Ep066: Marilyn Okoro – Mental Health and Resilience: Lessons from an Olympic Medalist
Ep105: Hannah Bromley – Overcoming Psychological Challenges in Professional Women’s Football
Relevant Blogs and Resources
Case Study: Supporting a Young Footballer to Overcome His Fears
Blog – 5 Coaching Tips To Develop Mentally Tough Footballers
Blog – Coach Development Helping Athletes Overcome Fear Of Failure
Blog – Mental Health Guidance For Coaches When Supporting Athletes
Blog – Make Better Decisions To Help Your Sport Performance
Blog – 5 Ways To Create A Psychological Safe Sporting Environment
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Best Wishes
David Charlton
Global Sports Psychologist who is located near Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK and willing to travel Internationally. David also uses online video conferencing software (Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp) on a regular basis and has clients who he has supported in USA, Canada, South America, UAE, Australian and New Zealand.
Managing Director – Inspiring Sporting Excellence and Founder of The Sports Psychology Hub. With over 10 years experience supporting athletes, coaches, parents and teams to achieve their goals, quickly.
T: +44 7734 697769
