What has the most significant impact on an athlete? It’s not the number of games won or the amount of playing they got—it is the sports environment they belong to. A sports environment, shaped by their coach, that prioritizes emotional well-being, fosters character development, and teaches the value of respect.

In this blog, we outline 5 tactics any coach can follow to create a lasting, positive sports environment for many seasons to come.

1. Have a Code of Conduct

Issues ranging in severity from physical/verbal altercations to dishonesty and tardiness bring forth a negative energy to the entire team. In order to minimize negative behaviors, outline a list of behaviors that won’t be tolerated.

Example code of conduct:

1. Show mutual respect to players
2. No bullying
3. Follow the rules of the game
4. Accept referee decisions
5. No cheating

While winning is the favorable outcome after each game, it isn’t the only factor that determines if your team is successful. Rather than becoming fixated on a losing score, use this as motivation to revamp your drills, incorporate more in-game scenarios at regular practices, or even add team bonding activities to improve teamwork & communication.

3. Promote Growth and Development

Whether it’s between games or seasons, athletes are constantly striving to become better performers. In order for them to reach their full potential, they need encouragement and direction from their coaches.

• Practice regular verbal recognition- If you notice an athlete who went out of their comfort zone to attempt a difficult shot or a challenging pass during a game, be sure to praise their efforts. *Even if they aren’t successful, verbal recognition reinforces to your athletes that making the attempt is always encouraged and mistakes are okay. And the more they try, the higher their chances of success in the future. 

• Incorporate skills development clinics- Aside from your regular practice schedule, incorporate one or two clinics through your season, with the sole purpose of athlete development. For example, host a two-day hockey clinic over a weekend that focuses solely on drills (rather than game scenarios where scoring is involved). Determine which skills your athletes need to improve, set up your drills accordingly, and provide feedback at the end of the clinic.

• Encourage self-reflection- “How do your athletes perceive their abilities?” As a coach, it’s impossible to get into the minds of your athletes to understand how they would rank their performance. Therefore, provide opportunities for self-reflection, such as athlete self-assessments.

*With SkillShark’s athlete-self assessments, players will have a comfortable environment to reflect on their skills, and coaches can receive valuable information to refine their coaching strategies.

Athlete self-assessments in SkillShark

4. Create an Open-Door Communication Policy

Set designated office hours so athletes know there is a designated time to reach out to you. Whether this is to discuss a conflict with a teammate or they want to ask for advice on improving a specific skill, make it clear you are available to listen and support them. Regardless of the issue, create an open, welcoming, and safe space for conversation.

If office hours aren’t possible or are limited in time, provide your email or phone number so your athletes can schedule a time to talk.

5. Model Ethical Behavior

When negative behavior/actions are exhibited, athletes may begin to mirror what’s observed around them. If they notice a coach exhibiting a lack of empathy or speaking negatively, they may assume these behaviors are acceptable and begin to adopt them as their own.  A few core characteristics include:

• Have patience- An athlete shows up to practice a couple of minutes late, the ref misses an obvious call, or a player throws the ball without looking. Errors and inconveniences come up all the time. But it’s how you deal with these situations that demonstrates your true character. No matter how frustrated you are, don’t let this show. Instead, stay calm & composed, focus on the aspects you can control, and problem-solve.

• Exhibit compassion- Compassionate relationships, built on mutual trust, kindness, and respect, create a supportive environment where athletes will thrive. When you demonstrate compassion, these behaviors will be naturally observed and modelled by athletes in their own relationships with their teammates.

• Model humility- One aspect of sports: mistakes will always happen. An athlete might fumble on a pass or miss a shot by an inch. What’s critical in this process is taking responsibility for these mistakes and moving on. Coaches are bound to make mistakes in their careers. Therefore, take the time to recognize when you are at fault and seek feedback from your players. In the example of a miscalculated strategy, ask your players, “What do you believe we could do differently next time?”

Wrapping Up

A positive sports environment, which emphasizes the social & psychological aspects, shapes how an athlete feels, performs, and grows. Whether coaching a youth league or professional sports team, promoting ethical behavior, developing a strict code of conduct, and promoting growth and development should be a universal priority.