Coach-athlete relationship: How important it is and how it relates with performance
In our everyday life, we meet lots of people, but we choose with whom we are going to have a more interpesonal relationship. So, what about the relationship a coach has with his trainee? This relationship adds value to someone’s performance, life or even character. So, let’s see how decisive the role of the coach is to the athlete’s performance. The relationship between the coach and his trainee is actually the most important factor to the effectiveness of a coaching plan. The number of victories a team has is not as important as effective guidance that promotes continuous progress. As we have mentioned before, proper guidance is more important than the victories or failures of a team or an athlete. Success alone does not help someone become “big” if it isn’t combined with right guidance. The athlete should be able to talk to their trainer about anything that goes on in their body or mind, especially if that affects their performance. It’s all about personal development and building character. When the coach focuses, not only on performance, but also on building a healthy and pleasant intepersonal relationship with their trainees, they ensure success in other areas of their lives as well.
A two way street but…
Even though it’s a two sided relationship, the truth is that it’s mostly the coach’s responsibility to create a high quality relationship with his athletes. Coaches hold a place of respect and power, but it’s also important that they are accesible to their trainees and be mentors for them. They should inspire them and make them love their sport every day. The challenge here, though, is balancing logic with empathy. A complete balance between these two is crucial, in order not to lose respect for one another. But, it’s worth the effort from both sides, because a strong coach-athlete relationship not only emboldens a positive, responsible, patient, persistent and moral person, but also improves the performance of the team as a whole, since everyone feels that they belong somewhere and they matter. Let’s not forget that athletes are also human, they have feelings, ego and a personality that sometimes can catch the coach off guard. If an athlete oppresses their emotions, it is very possible that they are going to burst out in the field or towards their teammates. What some teams in America do, is hang out all together during the weekends or even go to the coach’s house. So, they have the opportunity to connect and feel closer to one another. That means that they are going to be trusting each other more and that has definitely a positive impact to the team’s success.
Better communication means positive results
Although a team can be successful without having meaningful relationships, that often leads to the “victory at any cost” filosophy, which is usually accompanied with poor sports manners. By promoting a positive competitive environment, athletes can develop personal and athletic growth. Plus, chances to hate the sport are really reduced.
So, the coach-athlete relationship is an essential foundation of the whole training process, based on mutual admiration and respect.
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