MOTIVATING ATHLETES IN YOUR STRENGTH PROGRAM- Part 2

• Create a Sense of Urgency
“ The pace of the race is set by the lead dog.” Instill in the athlete the importance of achieving the goals they have set. Their attitude in achieving their goals will be reflected in the emphasis you put on them. Constantly be enthusiastic and energetic in regards to your athletes reaching their goals. Setting short term and long-term goals will contribute to assisting the athlete in reaching their full potential.

• Visualize Successful Goals
Impress upon the athlete the importance of visualizing himself or herself successfully achieving their goals. Achieving goals is believing mentally they can reach them. Belief in achieving the goal is the key component to reaching them. If the athlete doesn’t truly believe they can reach the goal, then in all likelihood they won’t.

Education
Explain and teach exactly what it is you expect them to do. This speeds up the learning curve but also leaves no doubt as to what, why and how you want them to do something. The better job you do communicating to your athletes what you want them to do, the more effort they will give to your program. Giving positive feedback after an athlete demonstrates correct technique or gives a great effort will encourage the learning process to continue. The goal is to increase learning and exercise competence. According to the research, individuals who perceive themselves as highly competent demonstrate the greatest motivation.

Testing/Evaluation
It is imperative that you test your athletes periodically to make them aware of their progress and to show them that their efforts are being monitored. Athletes are competitive by nature, so we as coaches need to provide constant feedback in their quest for excellence and improvement. Testing helps to give them an idea of where they not only stack up against their previous efforts, but also at their position and within the framework of the team. The athlete should be tested at the end of each training phase (off-season, pre-season and in-season) when possible. Usually the end of one phase is typically the beginning of the next. Just knowing that they will test often is enough of a motivating factor to keep an athlete committed with your program. Having various record boards that show how the athlete compares with and against his peers is a great way to motivate your players.

Ownership
An important component in getting your athletes motivated is to give them a sense of ownership of the training program. By taking input from your athletes periodically regarding the program it gives them a sense of a personal stake in the outcome of the training. They are then more likely to make a more conscious effort to do everything in their power to make sure the training program succeeds. Today’s athletes do not always respond positively to coaches who don’t take the time to get input from them.

Player/Coach Relationships
The athlete must believe that the coach truly cares about them not only as a person, but also as a student-athlete. As in any relationship you must first build a bridge before you can cross it. You can’t talk before you listen. If you listen first, you will motivate much more effectively. And when building a good coach-athlete relationship use an approach that recognizes, appreciates and respects each athlete’s individuality. You will quickly gain the respect of athletes because they appreciate you are trying to know them for who they are. This relationship is one that must be built on love and trust. An athlete will truly run through a wall for you if they know you care for them and their well being.