Young Athletes Need Feedback, Send Evaluations!

Feedback in sports coaching, particularly for young athletes, is a critical component that shapes their athletic journey. It serves as a compass, guiding them towards their goals and helping them navigate the challenges they encounter along the way. The importance of feedback in this context cannot be overstated, as it provides an opportunity for athletes to reassess their performance, gain fresh perspectives, and formulate new strategies if necessary.

The coach-athlete relationship is arguably one of the most significant relationships in sports. Coaches possess the knowledge and tools necessary for athletes to achieve success. However, the transfer of this knowledge is not a one-way street. It requires a dynamic exchange of information, where feedback plays a pivotal role. Feedback allows coaches to communicate to athletes how they are performing in relation to their expectations. This communication enables coaches to instruct and teach their athletes how to reach these expectations and perform better (Hillman, Schwandt & Bartz, 1990).

Online Evaluations Help Start A Conversation with Athletes

The role of a coach extends beyond just training athletes; they are instrumental in setting up an environment conducive to learning and growth. Activities, drills, and games designed by coaches can provide intrinsic feedback, helping athletes understand whether they are meeting expectations without the need for excessive praise or criticism. Using online evaluations, is the best ice-breaker to give young athletes this feedback and then start a conversation about it. This environment encourages athletes to think, involve their teammates, and actively seek feedback. It also fosters a safe space where failure is not feared but seen as an opportunity to learn and improve.

Positive feedback plays a crucial role in athlete development. It helps players learn from their mistakes and failures, making them more willing to correct them. On the contrary, negative feedback can induce stress and fear of making mistakes, leading to further errors. Therefore, the manner in which feedback is conveyed is of utmost importance. Coaches should focus on behavior rather than personality, set specific goals, maintain open communication, and use reinforcement techniques to shape behavior.

Observational feedback has been identified as a potential solution to high dropout rates in youth sports. By becoming aware of the environment they create, coaches can make necessary changes to foster a more positive and encouraging atmosphere. This could significantly increase youth sport participation retention rates.

Good Feedback Incentivizes Young Athletes

Research has shown that feedback can provide extra incentives for athletes due to its positive influence on competence satisfaction and autonomous motivation. Successful coaching depends on using feedback to motivate, challenge, direct, and support players in their quest to improve their skills and overall performance.

However, it’s not just about giving feedback; it’s also about how it’s given. Feedback should be specific, directed, goal-oriented, and frequent. It should focus on effort and improvement more than winning. Coaches should explain exercises or decisions, answer player’s questions, and encourage players to take initiative. This approach creates an empowering climate for athletes, leading to more successful outcomes.

Timing of Evaluations: ASAP

Moreover, the timing of evaluations is crucial. It should be given as soon as possible after the specific event, and in a sincere manner. This immediate feedback allows athletes to adjust their technique or strategy promptly, enhancing their learning process.

In addition to verbal feedback, coaches can also utilize technology to monitor and provide feedback to their athletes. Platforms like PlayerEvals offers easy feedback to athletes, helping coaches provide insightful feedback in a timely and effective manner. Such platforms not only cover the physical requirements of a particular sport but also help derive benefits from other factors that significantly influence an athlete’s well-being, such as training, nutrition, mind, and sleep.

In conclusion, feedback from coaches is vital for young athletes. It helps them understand their performance in relation to expectations, learn from their mistakes, and strive for improvement. It fosters a positive and encouraging environment, motivates athletes, and ultimately enhances their performance. Therefore, coaches should prioritize providing effective and constructive feedback to their athletes, shaping them into better performers and individuals.

Citations :

1. https://metrifit.com/blog/coach-feedback-how-important-is-it/
2. https://globalsportmatters.com/youth/2019/02/18/right-feedback-could-keep-young-athletes-in-game/
3. https://blog.innerdrive.co.uk/sports/feedback-for-athlete-development
4. https://www.stack.com/a/the-importance-of-positive-feedback
5. https://hr.berkeley.edu/hr-network/central-guide-managing-hr/managing-hr/managing-successfully/performance-management/check-in/coaching
6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9yn39q/revision/3
7. https://www.pixellot.tv/blog/youth-coaching-seven-tips-for-sharing-positive-feedback/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7371850/
9. https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/the-importance-of-feedback-in-coaching
10. https://www.pheamerica.org/2020/best-practices-for-coaches-when-providing-feedback
11. https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/the-importance-of-feedback-in-coaching
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13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3761887/