By Angela Charlton, PhD
Manager of Player Engagement
“Coachable: Someone who is committed to his or her own development; who is hungry for feedback from others and open to anything that may improve his or her self.”
~ Mike Kennedy, Coaching Expert
As a student-athlete, being coachable is essential.
Your willingness to connect with your coach shows that you understand and appreciate how vital it is for you to have a good working relationship with your coach.
As Coach Baker of Wilson High points out, a good coach will do everything he or she can to offer good channels of communication between the coach and his or her players. One-on-one interaction with your coach, says Coach Baker, is where positive emotional bonds of trust and respect are strengthened.
Your coach recognizes that he or she will only be successful in your player development process if he or she is working with a student-athlete who is open to a coach’s guidance, advice and training. Although you may have tremendous potential on the field, how you regard your coach can influence your performance level. As Coach Baker points out, a good coach and player relationship motivates a player to reach higher heights.
Both high-school and collegiate coaches know that sports programs serve as a learning arena; a place where student-athletes are taught, motivated, and guided on overall life lessons while having the opportunity to develop their individual athletic ability under the direction of a committed coaching staff. What you get out of your sports program is directly proportional to what you, your teammates, and your coach have put into it – together you create the playing experience for yourself and each other.
Here are some of the key traits Coach Baker believes the highly coachable player must exhibit.
Coach Baker’s Traits and Tips on Being a Highly Coachable Player:
Hard Work – Your coach will notice your work ethic as much as he notes your potential. You need to exhibit both.
Discipline – Inconsistency will hurt you on the field and break down your coach-player relationship. Your coach needs to know that you are committed. Don’t waste his or her time “dabbling” in a sport.
Patience – Be patient with yourself and with your teammates. That is what practice sessions are all about – growth is a day-to-day process. With each game you learn more about yourself and your team.
Accountability – Take responsibility for all of your actions and your team’s actions. Yes, both.
Be Balanced – While you are a student-athlete, it can’t be all about football and nothing else. Your coach needs you to take your studies seriously. Not only will you be off the team if you don’t, but you will be limiting your options for college and life. Be a good student and you will be a better athlete.
Be Open to Critique – In order for your coach to do his or her job, you must be open to feedback, evaluation, assessment and always welcome any form of a critique of both your on and off-field actions. This is why it is important to already have a solid relationship of trust and mutual respect with your coach.
Be a Good Communicator and Listener –These interaction skills will not only make you a better student-athlete but they will make you a better person.