How can you develop tougher players who exceed playing standards? It starts with creating a safe environment for your team. But you must also factor in the inevitability of failure.
Players will fail. They will underperform. They will have off days. And it’s ineffective to yell at them for mistakes or point out obvious performance issues.
Instead, guide them toward improvement with open, honest conversation: “What can we do differently?” “How did you fall short today?” “How can you be better and not repeat the same mistakes?” This puts the focus on the performance, and gives your athletes a chance to improve in the next game.
By using this approach, you can build trust and show that you support your players. When this occurs, you then have an opportunity to develop athletes who become more resilient over time.
