“What the heck are you doing? You are playing terrible. Sit the bench,” screams the coach from the sideline, exasperated and hungry for a win.
Athletes are drenched in sweat, panting as they play the sport they love as hard as they can. Yet some players feel as if their best effort is not appreciated by their mentors, resulting in a hesitation to continue the season. Student athletes have actually quit the sports they love due the behavior of coaches on the sideline during practices and games. The drive for victories and amount of playing time has affected the amount of students who decide participate during the sports seasons. Tyrese Lopez, a junior on the varsity basketball team, struggled to determine if she was going to play the season due to the competitive nature, but decided to play in order to bond with her teammates. Lopez said, “I didn't want to play because it became too competitive and the coaching staff saw the game as more of a competition more than a fun game. I play basketball for fun and not to get into college.” According to Why Kids Quit Sports, a Changing the Game Project website, 70 percent of children quit a sport they love by the age of 13. Many feel are afraid to make mistakes and feel disrespected by coaches. In the 2014 George Washington study, children listed the top five characteristics of a great coach, and “Respect and Encouragement” came in at No. 1. Head varsity soccer coach Tina Smith said, “What works for me is that I build that trust with them and make sure I get to know them by reaching out to them. It makes a difference because then they reciprocate in the two hours I'm with them. I don't hide things, I'm honest when they need to work with the ball I say it needs to be better, but not until I develop a relationship.” Coaches can influence young athletes to enjoy sports and want to keep playing. Some stay enthusiastic about the sports; however, other coaches seem to discourage their athletes. The coaches begin to take the athlete’s sense of comfort in the sport, as the athlete does not feel good enough. Retired 11th-grade varsity soccer player Mackenzie Webb said, “It no longer felt like I was there to have fun but like I had to be there. They started to split up our team by having us compete for playing time and certain positions. They took away aspects of the sport that I initially loved.” Although all athletes want playing time, it is a fact that the best and most developed players are put in during the games to earn points against the opponent. In result, some of the less developed players have a harder time developing their talent during games. Though players learn new techniques during practice, some are unable to perfect their new skills on the field. Many Scots feel invested in their team due to relationships with their teammates, yet they wish their coaches were more involved in their overall team bonding rather than their constant desires to win. Lopez said, “My motivations for this season are my teammates and the connection we form as a team. I am more motivated to do well because I don’t want to let my teammates down.” The influence that a coach has on an athlete is seen as an essential factor in their overall effort and performance level. Coaches assist players to reach their full potential by supporting them physically and mentally during the entire season of the sport. In an article on Topend Sports by Dr. Patrick J. Cohn, Cohn emphasizes the importance of the mental mindset in a sport and that a coach’s job is to motivate players to achieve full potential. “Mental Game Coaching is the segment of sports psychology that concentrates specifically on helping athletes break through the mental barriers that are keeping them from performing up to their peak potential. Grow confidence in athletes who have doubts, doubt is the opposite of confidence, develop coping skills to deal with setbacks and errors, find the right zone of intensity for your sport,” said Cohn. Developing the mental and physical aspects of an athlete could improve the overall passion for the Scots’ players. Lopez said, “I know that everyone is relying on each other to have a good season.” |