Core Values to Instill in Young Athletes

Who better to teach a player character development than their coach? Sure, having the necessary footwork, speed, and body positioning is crucial for athletes to progress their skill level. But what about the core values that shape their character?

In this blog, we discuss 5 important values you can instill in your young athletes to advance their character development. Values that will assist young athletes in building resilience, developing a healthy mindset, and excelling as team players.

1. Perseverance

“Will I make my parent happy?” “Can I stack up against this professional player I saw on social media?” “What if I let my teammates down?” These questions often circle in player’s minds. While these external pressures can have an impact on a young player’s mindset, it is important athletes can maintain their “ideal level” of performance despite these pressures. Some tips for perseverance are:

• Leave your problems at the door

Remind players that sports are a fun environment to get away from day-to-day life (school, homework, etc..).

• Avoid comparison against teammates

Remind athletes that the reason they were selected for the team is because they each bring something unique. Therefore, comparing themselves to each other is of no benefit.

• Be persistent in your approach

No matter how players are feeling that day, they must put in the same amount of effort & and pay equal attention to their coach’s instructions. Persistence=success

• Prioritize yourself

Taking rest days, enjoying cheat meals, and socializing with friends are all great examples of self-care. Encourage players to enjoy life outside of sports and school by partaking in these self-care examples (or similar ones).

• Practice positive self-talk

When a negative thought comes to mind, such as “What if I am not good enough to be on the team?” players must replace that internal voice with a positive affirmation such as “I got chosen to be on this team for a reason. Therefore, I am good enough.”

2. Hard Work

To assist players in putting forth maximum effort, teach players to:

• Be receptive to feedback

Minor details are important when you give players feedback. Footwork, hand placement, and body posture are just a few small details that have a HUGE impact on performance.

• Always show up

Regardless of whether a player is feeling down on themselves that day or is worried about messing up a skill in front of their teammates, the most crucial step to show they are a hard worker is simply by showing up.

• Stay committed

Athletes should pick a goal and focus on it (yes, just one goal to avoid getting overwhelmed). Players will then keep that goal in mind during each drill or conditioning exercise.

3. Courage

Your players spend each practice mastering the basic movements, refining their technique, and improving their endurance. However, when it comes to tournaments, your players might get nervous under high-pressure situations and become afraid to take risks.

For instance, one of your players is nervous about taking a wrist shot at a hockey tournament because this is a skill they have only mastered in practice. Verbal words of encouragement are key in situations like these. Communicate to your athlete that their wrist shots are consistently powerful and accurate during practices; therefore, attempting one during a tournament will be equally as successful.

4. Sportsmanship

Being a good team player teaches athletes patience, integrity, and humility. Some core proponents of sportsmanship to teach as a coach are:

• Treat everyone equally. All players on the opposing team should be treated the same as players on your team.
• Play by the rules. Don’t challenge referees or officials.
• Handle defeat with grace. Not every game will result in victory. Players should see “lost” games as a learning lesson, working with their coach to adjust technique, strategy, etc.

5. Tenacity

Setting goals, developing an action plan, and reflecting on their performance. This cycle teaches players to be determined & persistent in their approach. Additionally, the “reflection part” of the cycle teaches players that mistakes should not be seen as a setback, they should be viewed as an opportunity to grow.

I.e., One of your players sets a goal to score two long-range shots during the season. After the season had ended, the player unfortunately didn’t achieve this goal. Talk through with the player what they can work on to achieve this goal next season. I.e., Shooting technique, strength training, and ball striking drills. More importantly, remind them to never give up!

Wrapping Up

Any good coach can teach players proper technique and speed of a drill. But a great coach? That is one who takes the time to instill core values in their players. Values that will be remembered and practiced by athletes for years and years to come.