How to Motivate Athletes

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Motivating athletes is one of the challenges of sports parents and sport coaches. Observing seemingly unmotivated athletes can be very frustrating for adults, especially when dealing with athletes who show a real talent for a sport. To my knowledge, there are no tried and true solutions to motivating these type athletes, but there are many things that parents and coaches can try. Adults should never give up trying to motivate young players because one never knows when athletes may become inspired. I do know that parents and coaches, who remain positive and optimistic about their kids futures, have the best chance of turning unmotivated players into motivated ones.

One of the first things that sports parents and sport coaches can do is to help kids understand that some athletes are more naturally gifted than others, but hard work is always necessary for success. Pointing out that it is not always the most gifted that succeed is important. This realization that hard work can overcome less talent can help motivate kids. Some kids understand the connection of hard work and success early on in their careers, where others have not. There are examples of many star athletes who came to this realization, after not being stars at a young age. These future star athletes eventually dedicated themselves to the hard work and became successful. Telling kids of these athletes can provide the inspiration to motivate youth athletes.

Staying positive in a realistic and hopeful way is something parents should strive for with their words and actions. This is usually the only chance of turning around an unmotivated athlete. Parents, who are constantly insisting that kids work harder (pushing), usually turn kids away from sports. This practice of pushing rarely is beneficial over the long term.

Following are positive and realistic words that can serve to inspire kids.

Positive coaching words to motivate athletes who do not like to practice:

You were obviously upset over the way you played. You have a better chance of succeeding and avoiding those feelings if you dedicate more practice time into it. It is hard to feel empathy, even for ones own childs disappointment, when they did not put much practice into it. These words spoken in a matter of fact way may resonate with athletes who lack motivation.

Positive coaching words to motivate athletes who work hard but struggle for success:

I know you tried your best and thats all anyone can expect of you. There is a good chance the results will be different the next time. Always providing hope for athletes is comforting and necessary. Telling them how proud you are of their effort and that almost always their efforts will pay off in the future can prevent kids from losing their motivation.

Positive coaching words to motivate all athletes:

We will figure it out and I will practice with you when you want.We is a powerful word and the we feeling" is also comforting so kids dont feel like they have to do it all on their own. It shows them that you are willing to help them put in the work to become more successful.

Word of caution:

It is always important that parents and coaches try to be objective in the analysis of their child's play and effort. Sport parents who are positive without being realistic usually give false praise, which usually backfires sooner or later. False praise is overstating ones contribution, when their results and demeanor do not merit it. Saying "You were awesome" when they obviously were not is an example of false praise. It is better to be honest with them, at the appropriate time. However, letting kids know that you are proud of them and believe in them, whatever the results, is not false praise.