One of the hardest parts of high school football coaching
is motivating young athletes to practice. To do this effectively,
the coach has to foster an understanding of the relationship
between training, practice and peak performance. He must encourage
the athletes, provide structured training, and help them gain the
self-discipline necessary for success and excellence on the
field.
BUILDING THE COACH-ATHLETE RELATIONSHIP
Effective motivation flows from the partnership between
coaches and athletes. As coaches, we must understand our athletes
as individuals and as a team gain their trust and
respect.
We must remember that we're coaching people, not machines.
We must teach youngsters the mechanics of a sport, but we must
also assist in building their character. Showing support and
interest in all facets of their lives helps build an effective
coach-athlete relationship.
A good way to demonstrate such personal interest is by
working out with the athletes. It will show them that you've been
where they are, that you know it's hard work, and that you're
willing to sweat, too.
DEVELOPING A WINNING ATTITUDE: SETTING GOALS
At Mount Carmel High School, we think in terms of attitude,
motivation, performance, and success. Success is a journey, not a
destination. Success is realized the moment an athlete gains a
winning attitude, is motivated to set a worthwhile goal, and
begins to move toward that goal.
A winning attitude is the best motivator. If athletes
believe they can achieve their goals, they'll try harder and
increase their likelihood of success.
A positive coach-athlete relationship lays the groundwork
for this attitude, and the setting of clearcut goals helps
establish it. Coaches should help the athletes set long-term goals
and encourage them to achieve these goals through a series of
short-term goals.
The incremental goals will keep motivation high, while
giving the athletes an ongoing sense of achievement. Once the
athlete begins developing a sense of accomplishment, he will be
motivated to try even harder.
At Mount Carmel, we have our athletes write down a goal and
the obstacles they anticipate in reaching it. We then identify the
steps to take and the short-term achievements leading to the
goal.
For example, if a football player wants to play wide
receiver but isn't fast enough, we set short-term goals to
increase his speed. Each tenth of a second improvement in speed
will motivate him to try even harder. If he increases his speed
enough, we will give him a chance at wide receiver. If he doesn't,
we will examine why and set up a new workout
schedule.
INCENTIVES AS MOTIVATORS
Incentives (material rewards for good performance) are
commonly used for motivation, but may only be effective on a
short-term basis. Athletes may become satisfied once they achieve
rewards, such as helmet stickers or plaques, and the rewards will
lose their power to motivate. We often have to increase the value
or quantity of incentives to motivate players on an ongoing
basis.
FEAR MOTIVATION
We do not believe that fear motivates. Fear motivation, or
punishing players to "motivate" them, is only a temporary
expedient. After repeated exposure to fear tactics, athletes
become immune to threats, and continued punishment may destroy
their desire to participate. It's difficult to justify using fear
to motivate young players.
T-E-A-M
It's important to remember that athletes can motivate one
another. We usually split the players into drill groups and score
them as a team rather than as individuals. These training sessions
help build team morale and make the players feel they have
invested in one another. Each player has a responsibility to the
team. We share the short-term goals of improving attitudes and
basic skills with the long-term benefit of overall improved
performance.
SUMMARY
Motivation is simply a means to an
end. If we provide exposure to positive ideas over a long period
of time, we will produce a successfully motivated
athlete.
To summarize, this is our Mount Carmel Credo: Attitude
controls motivation; motivation controls performance; performance
controls success. And there's no I in T-E-A-M
Frank Lenti
Head Football Coach
Mt. Carmel High
School
