Helping Players Grow in the Game

1. Helping Players Grow in the Game Providing Constructive Feedback Mel Lemke November 18, 2013

2. Something to Consider Players have a fear of failure and are motivated by achievements. "Players perform better if you give them constructive feedback after a mistake“ "Players perform better if you don't insult them after they make a mistake.“

3. How do you provide feedback? • Sugar coat negative feedback? • Cave in or back down because the player is getting upset? • Avoid the conversation until you’ve “had it up to here”? • Use an overly formal or forceful opening or tone? • Control the airwaves? • State what you’re unhappy about without offering a clear picture of what you want? • Jump in with an action plan without first getting agreement about the problem? • Give positive feedback without specifics? • Mistake valid reasons for excuses? • Wait for a once a season player evaluations to give feedback?

4. How do you provide feedback? • Use vague judgments without specific examples ? • Deliver a long warm-up introduction before giving the negative feedback? • Use blunt, provocative, or shaming language to make a point? • Pretend to agree and then disagree? • Wing it? • Tell them what’s going on inside their head? • Use a “one size fits all” approach? • Only take the time to give corrective feedback and not positive feedback? • Use sarcastic humor to make a point?

5. Overview Evaluate current coaching behaviors Objectives Constructive Direction The 6 step method Praise sandwich Try it!

6. Constructive Direction • Constructive criticism • Constructive: to build up, advance • Criticism: to find fault with; to judge with severity; to blame, reprehend or condemn • Constructive direction • Constructive: to build up, advance • Direction: to manage or guide by advice, helpful information or instruction

7. Objectives Identify and compose constructive feedback with valuable content. Deliverconstructive direction in an appropriate manner to the player. Determine the proper timing to provide feedback. Consider appropriate frequency of correction.

8. Objectives • Content • Identify the topic or issue that the feedback will be about and provide the specifics of what occurred. • Manner • Manner is how you say the constructive feedback. As you may know, how you say something often carries more weight than what you have to say — manner is an important element when giving feedback. • Timing • As soon as ready. Consider that the incident may be easier to correct when feedback is given in real-time, as close as possible to when the mistake occurs. • Frequency • Try to respond to athletes playing well just as much as you comment on their mistakes.

9. The 6 Step Method Tell players the purpose of your feedback Describe the specifics of your observations State your experience of what you’ve observed and how it affects the team Give players an opportunity to respond Give specific suggestions and direction Summarize the discussion and give support

10. Praise Sandwich • A verbal sandwich that consists of two parts of praise surrounding a slice of direction. • Athlete realizes that you obviously think they’re a good player. • They have heard your direction about becoming a better player. • Praising them again provides the inspiration and motivation for him to go out and work on those new skills.

11. Example A slice of praise:“Ashton, there's no question that you've developed great dribbling skills. When you have space you can dribble with speed and beat defenders.” A slice of constructive direction: “If you can become as good at passing the ball as well as dribbling it, you can be much more successful on the field. Dribble until you have used your space then look for a teammate. Once you pass it, move to receive the ball again.” The final bit of praise: “When you master both the dribbling and the passing aspects we’ll be able to possess the ball better as a team and have more opportunities to score goals. You’ll become a well rounded and dangerous player”

12. Try it! • Watch the clip • Provide constructive direction • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g27_v0gfykE • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFdICYKCnck • Praise Sandwich • Praise • Direction • Praise