What is a coachable athlete?
Coachable athletes possess positive attitudes and are receptive to guidance, feedback and correction. They understand 90% of their athletic performance is mental and that brain training is as important, if not more important than, physical training. Becoming a coachable athlete is a game-changer. It can elevate your mental and physical skills, improve your performance, and help you level up in your sport and in life.
The importance of being coachable.
Coachability is a crucial part of an athlete’s journey. It allows you to grow, learn, and adapt to constantly changing circumstances. Coachable athletes understand that they do not have all the answers and recognize the value in seeking guidance from people with more experience and knowledge. Let’s explore the key qualities and habits of coachable athletes.
The qualities of a coachable athlete.
1. Humility and Open-Mindedness
Coachable athletes are humble and acknowledge that they do not have all the answers. They set aside their egos and recognize there is always room for improvement. They embrace the idea that no matter how skilled they are, there is always more to learn and they are open to suggestions.
2. Attentive
Coachable athletes listen attentively to their coaches in order to understand instructions and feedback. They maintain eye contact, ask clarifying questions, internalize advice and work to execute corrections.
3. Ability to Accept and Implement Feedback
Coachable athletes accept constructive criticism without becoming defensive. They understand feedback is a gift intended to induce growth and focus on applying it to enhance their skills and performance.
4. Resiliency
Resiliency is the ability to rebound from setbacks quickly and is key to being coachable. Resilient athletes face challenges head-on and embrace them as opportunities for growth. They approach mistakes and adversity with curiosity… why did I miss that groundball… what could I have done differently… and turn them into learning experiences.
5. Possess a Strong Work Ethic
Coachable athletes are dedicated and committed to putting in the hard work required to improve. They show up to practices and games with a positive attitude, give their best effort, and demonstrate consistency in training and preparation.
6. Maintain Good Relationships with Coaches
Coachable athletes have strong relationships with their coaches and teammates. They trust, respect, and communicate openly and effectively with their coaches which fosters a supportive environment where learning and growth can take place.
How to Cultivate the Habits of a Coachable Athlete
1. Seek Feedback
Actively seek feedback from your coaches after each practice or game. Rather than seeking validation, ask specific questions about areas of improvement and strategies for enhancing your skills and performing better the next time you have the chance.
2. Embrace a Growth Mindset
Understand that your current abilities and skills are not fixed, but can be improved with consistent effort. Embrace a growth or positive mindset by mastering your thoughts and emotions and using challenges as opportunities for growth. Focus on the things you can control rather than wasting time trying to change the things you cannot control.
3. Develop Self-Awareness
Spend time assessing your performances on your own in order to identify what you did well and the areas that need improvement. When you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses, it becomes easier to focus on developing skills that will make you a better athlete.
4. Be Open to Trying New Things
Step out of your comfort zone and be willing to try new techniques or training methods suggested by your coaches. Embracing new approaches can help you discover untapped potential and enhance your performance.
5. Show Appreciation and Respect
Express gratitude towards your coaches for their time, effort and expertise. Show respect for their guidance, even if you may not always agree with their decisions. It may seem like a small thing, but say thank you after every game and practice.
Conclusion
The power to become a coachable athlete, to accelerate your rate of improvement and to unleash your potential is within you. Remember, the choice to be coachable is not a one-time thing. It is an ongoing commitment to cultivate good habits, mental strength and to step outside your comfort zone.
If you’re ready to become a coachable athlete and unleash your full potential, it’s time to book a free thirty-minute coaching session.
Bio: Antoinette Datoc is a certified Mental Performance Coach who specializes in helping athletes, their parents and coaches cultivate growth mindsets and mental strength. She is a competitive ballroom dancer and together with her partner (who happens also to be her husband) has accumulated more than a dozen national championship titles and represented Team USA in three world championship events.
