Negative Coaching In Sports

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The negative coaching style in youth sports can be very dangerous. This particular way of coaching can cause numerous issues for a child. Children suffer daily from lasting effects of abusive coaches. The positive approach to coaching has been proven to produce better athletes and more desire for the sport. Negative coaching does not just last throughout the sport, it can potentially last a lifetime. The effects of negative coaching can discourage future abilities, portraying a bad influence, and substantially decreasing a child’s self-worth.
During critical years for an adolescent, negative comments/coaching can affect how they shape their self-worth in the future. Since at this age children are so impressionable, they will put a majority of their trust in the adult figures in their lives. Therefore, if a coach uses negative comments towards his or her players they could immediately absorb the negativity. Following the absorption of negativity, their self-worth will slowly but surely be damaged. Encouragement can play a key factor in building up a child’s self-worth. “Negative coaching feedback after one game can have effects on hormones and performance a full week later.” (Runners World 2).
An athlete’s performance can truly be affected by a coach’s reaction. Good performance comes mostly from the amount of confidence an athlete has in themselves. If a coach is not providing the right amount of encouragement and motivation, they are most likely not going to get the results they would like out of their players. When athletes are being yelled at or “bullied” by coaches, it can cause severe anxiety, which can lead to the brain losing focus very easily. “Those coaches who rely on fear and intimidation ensure their athletes won’t r...

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...impact on an athlete’s life in a positive way and lead them in a successful direction, it all lies within their hands. A positive healthy relationship between a coach and a player is a key aspect for a successful coach.
The effects of a negative coach could be life changing. Being a coach is so much deeper than teaching a child how to play a sport. A coach is a leader and role-model in a child’s life, a big influence next to their parents. Young athletes really look up to their coaches for guidance in all areas of life, so being treated bad by someone they look up to makes them think it is okay to treat others like that also. The slightest bit of negativity can potentially ruin a child’s future. A coaching position is very serious. All coaches should study deeply into the possible effects they can have on kids and how extremely important their roles are as coaches.

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