Your network is your biggest asset, which is no exception in sports.
Learning to cultivate strong relationships is a critical skill that will help players accomplish their goals on and off the field.
And building those relationships isn’t about schmoozing and favoritism; it’s about building trust, communication, and mutual respect for having what it takes to be an elite athlete and excel at your sport.
Coaches Are Critical to the Team
In any team sport, coaches set the tone for the players, for the season, and for the overall team by carefully recruiting and curating their team. How they work to create motivation, determination, and a winning attitude (and hopefully a winning spree) matters in the bigger picture.
Your coaches are there to help you win in the game and in life and have the experience and expertise to help take you to the next level by honing your skills and creating a road for your athletic career. These relationships go beyond technical skills and help develop important life-changing character traits like resilience, self-discipline, and teamwork.
The Top Four Reasons to Build Strong Coach/Player Relationships
It takes problem-solving, patience, understanding, and mutual trust— but building a positive relationship with your coach can create a safe and supportive environment where you can learn and grow and make your dreams become a reality.
And here are 4 reasons why building strong relationships with your coaches can help you do just that:
1. Building Trust + Mutual Respect
One of the most important reasons for athletes to build strong relationships with their coaches is for the overall trust and understanding those relationships can build.
Your coach is not only there to develop your technical skills but also to help you develop the right mindset, character, and attitude needed for the long game plan. Trust is critical for athletes and is an important part of understanding your coach’s methods, experience, and approach to getting you to your best.
Players need to trust that their coach has their best interests at heart and that they are making decisions that will be beneficial in the long run. Likewise, coaches need to trust that you are committed to the team and are willing to put in the effort to improve.
Building trust takes time and goes both ways, but it’s worth the investment.
2. Developing Communication Skills
Strong communication is one of the strongest indicators of good coaching and strong inter-team relationships.
Effective communication is essential for any successful relationship, especially for a team with a common goal in mind. Each player and coach’s performance impacts the rest, so coaches need to be able to set the tone and communicate their expectations clearly, provide constructive feedback, and provide healthy guidance. In turn, players need to be able to communicate when they have concerns, ask for help, and provide feedback to their coaches in a healthy, constructive way.
By opening up and having honest conversations with your coach, you can work together to create a plan that maximizes your potential by openly communicating your progress and feedback and addressing any conflicts that may arise when the stakes are high.
3. Navigating Setbacks and Adversity
Facing a few setbacks throughout your athletic career is a natural part of any sports journey, and athletes should expect to meet a little adversity along the way. Having a strong relationship with your coach to fall back on can help you navigate any bumps in the road. Coaches can offer support, guidance, and motivation during arduous times and can also help you stay focused on the big picture.
Positive relationships with coaches will help you develop the resiliency and mental stamina essential for long-term success in sports and in life.
4. Community and Belonging
Finally, building strong relationships with coaches can help create a strong sense of belonging and community. Playing sports is not just about winning or developing technical skills; it’s also about feeling a sense of camaraderie, support, and belonging. When athletes have a positive relationship with their coaches and teammates, having their back can also help to motivate athletes to work harder and play harder.
Having a coach that believes in you can transform your career.
And StellaPop can help land you that coach.
Check out our sports recruitment and marketing services to learn more.
