The sports psychologist profession is nowadays popular and necessary in every sport and especially in big clubs abroad, which have a complete crew of psychologists for the psychological care of the athletes. The old views such as “I would never go to the shrink” e.t.c., have been thankfull overcome and as we live in such difficult and complicated years, the young people can ask for psychological help and there is no shame at it. The same thing is relevant in sports too and epsecially in dynamic sports, during which the mind detriment is often larger than the one of the body, the psychologist becomes an insistent necessity.
Is the teacher capable for this assignment?
We
assume that he is if he is psychologically stable, even though nobody
can supplement a professional. The instructor should react like a second
father, being constantly in touch with the athlete for the issues that
concern them. Three simple things that everybody can do and are capable
to “dope” an athlete psychologically.
Do not stress your athlete with the weight of glory!
It is better to “boost” the athlete by telling them that he is the best, but keep it modest. Do not enlarge the expectations and do not constantly put bigger goals because you press him and he will mess it up. Step by step each time and you will succeed together! Self-confidence is good unless it reaches the ignorance limits, because if the failure occurs, it will be unbearable.It is a mistake often done by the parents going to the trainings, they press the athlete and intefere in the work of the instructor. Either you stay out and keep your role or you harm your own child.
Show them their mistakes!
It has happened to me to go to an event and watch the instructor fighting with the judges. He does well doing it, protecting his athlete, but after the game he should show them their mistakes and not make great announcements daring Gods and monsters. You should show respect for the effort of the opponent as well, show to your athlete their mistakes, as they were undoubtedly made, and you will get what you deserve at the next game. There is not always deception at the faults of the referees and do not start a witch hunt.
Do not ask more than they can give
“Beat him up, go on him, break him apart”, we have listened to them in every corner….Of course, they are not the guidance of an instructor to lead an athlete on the victory. Give them a real plan that they will be able to follow. Do not ask crazy things or things they have never achieved, not even once during training. You stress and press them and they will fail. Making one step at a time, even a small one, towards improvement will help them set the ground for something bigger.
PS: As I witness manners of mainly older instructors to fling abuse to their athletes in order to bring results, respect is not needed by the athlete but is gained. As an instructor you should think that you are a model to them and when you fling abuse to them in order to learn, he will do the same to the next person to come.
