By: Imani Jones

A coach is a figure who will have a lasting impact on an athlete’s life, a figure who should be a role model through their ways of teaching. We’ve all experienced a coach who we loved, and hated, solely based on the way they were able to communicate with us. But what is the effectiveness of harsh coaching compared to a more gentle approach? Studies have shown that coaches who are more verbally aggressive are to be less liked by the athletes who play under them. 

In a study conducted by Clemson University, researchers noticed that college athletes respond poorly to a coach who is verbally aggressive. Their research was based on the actions of former Rutgers University coach, Mike Rice. In the spring of 2012, videos of the coach’s hostile and almost cruel ways of leading his team surged the internet and revealed that players who are constantly in the negative environment are less likely to talk to their coach, listen to them and trust them with conducting the team. During Rice’s three seasons of coaching collegiate basketball, the team was rewarded with 44 game wins and 51 losses in total which could be a representation of the players skills, but more importantly how Rice was going about leading his athletes.

As a coach, it is important to lead the team in a positive way, despite their skill level. There are a multitude of ways a coach can ensure their players feel comfortable in the sports environment. Recognizing that every athlete responds differently to various types of coaches is crucial when deciding how you should address each player, and talk to the team as a whole. 

So how can we help ourselves as athletes, or individuals who partake in other activities, to guide our coach in a way that makes us feel most comfortable? One way to ensure comfortability between an athlete and a coach is to regularly schedule individual check-ins with peers, growing a personal connection. This allows the coach to understand the athlete better by taking into consideration their personality and likes and dislikes, recognizing them as a human being, and not solely just a player on the team. Taking time through chaos is also effective in developing a comfortable and trusting environment for teammates. Long seasons, hard practices and losing games are bound to happen, but navigating through them with patience and good leadership can motivate the team to work well with another, and express their feelings in hopes of an overall change. 

To get the most out of players, treating them with respect and leading by example is proven to achieve a better success rate. Learning efficient ways to communicate with your coach and teammates is important when establishing positive relationships, by sticking up for yourself and other teammates. Next time you or your teammate is in jeopardy of harsh coaching, stand up and acknowledge that everyone responds to coaching styles differently, and it is not a burden if you are not able to take a more aggressive approach!

Photo: Courtesy of bleacherreport.com