The strong correlation between teaching and coaching runs deep. Teachers are trained for years on how to effectively deliver content so that students can understand concepts. The faster students understand content, the more in depth teachers can get in their lessons.
The same rules apply for coaches. The faster athletes understand frameworks and concepts, the faster they play. Once they understand these concepts, coaches can also introduce new plays or packages to make the team better.
Coaches are typically trained in their sport but are rarely trained in the art of content delivery. Coaches are teachers. If coaches can implement the same concepts that teachers do, their coaching would be much more effective.
Having a toolbox of proven teaching strategies allows coaches to reach the diverse population they are working with. Not all students learn the same. And not all athletes learn the same.
In the classroom, many of these athletes have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plans, but on the field or the court we expect them all to learn the same way. Teachers are encouraged to diversify their teaching strategies but typically coaches instruct once and expect their entire team to understand the concept.
MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
One of the long-standing teacher concepts is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The theory behind the philosophy is that the lower order needs must be met before the higher order concepts can be addressed. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs can be applied to many different areas, but educationally speaking the concept is applied to a classroom setting. Instead of a classroom setting, coaches should modify the concepts to their field or court.
PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS
The base level of Maslow’s relies on the standard needs of an individual – air, water, sleep, clothing, etc. Coaches should make sure that all players are property equipped and have the necessary tools to play the sport. Baseball players should have gloves and bats. Soccer players should have shin guards. These are the basics. The coach must have all team related equipment, access to water and obviously fields or a setting.
At the higher levels, athletes should have access to training, nutrition and the necessary prep materials to help them succeed.
This varies sport to sport and level to level, but a coach must make sure that the physiological needs are met. In the recent decade, this has become more and more important. Coaches have begun to study this area and professional and college teams have invested significantly in nutrition, sports performance and sleep.
SAFETY NEEDS
Coaches must make sure that athletes are in a safe environment. There is some overlap here from the first phase as this is where your health needs also carry over. Athletic trainers or some base medical component is necessary for injuries and injury prevention.
In a basic sense, athletes should have a safe environment to practice and play. In some areas, this is not an issue. In others, coaches may have to work with local officials or law enforcement to make sure that they have a safe environment.
Part of this is the necessary communication that occurs between a coach and the team, including parents. Coaches must establish credibility and that comes down to organization and communication.
LOVE AND BELONGING
This is where coaches begin to shape their team. This particular approach centers around creating team chemistry and culture. Listen to many athletic press conferences for college and professional teams and you hear players (and sometimes coaches) talk about the culture of the team.
Leadership on the team is essential. This can come from coaches and players. Who sets the tone in practice? Who holds players accountable? Who creates an inclusive environment for all players – not just the best players?
The best teams don’t always win. A common phrase among coaches is “addition by subtraction.” This typically happens when someone who doesn’t buy in or doesn’t fit the culture of the team leaves the team. Even if that player is talented, their attitude may sink a team.
In order for individuals to play fast and free, they must feel comfortable and confident. They have to feel a sense of belonging.
At the youth level, players must feel like they are valuable to the team. We all know that not every young player on a team has the same skill level. However, they must feel like they contribute in some way. A team’s success depends on how quickly the individuals buy in and gel.
ESTEEM NEEDS
If a player feels a sense of love and belonging, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs now highlights the need for self esteem. Players must feel good about what they bring to the team.
A big component to this stage is respect. Coaches must respect players and players must respect coaches. Coaches must stress this and model this each and every practice and game. Coaches must also build up their players. They can coach them hard but they must instill a confidence in each player.
A baseball coach may have a player who is not the best hitter, but that coach must highlight what that player does well. Maybe that player is a better fielder or a fast baserunner. The coach must highlight those positives while helping the player become a better hitter.
Now more than ever players need positive reinforcement. Many old school approaches do not work on the modern day youth athlete. Constructive criticism must be phrased properly in order to continue to strengthen this stage.
SELF ACTUALIZATION NEEDS
When a team has a group of individuals who reach this stage, magic happens. Self actualization is when players are self motivated. They have a true desire to achieve individual and ultimately team success.
When young athletes reach this stage, they don’t have to be coerced to go to practice. They aren’t counting down the minutes until practice is over. They are chasing perfection. They want to get better at the skills they deem necessary for success.
If coaches can lead their players into this stage of Maslow’s hierarchy, they are in a great spot. Players soak up knowledge like a sponge. They are intrinsically motivated to improve. This is where it becomes very important for a coach to implement a Growth Mindset approach to teaching and coaching.
A coach must try to get through the first four stages of Maslow’s hierarchy quickly in order to develop the team in this stage.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is fluid and flexible. Players will progress through the stages at different rates. However, the faster that more players get into the final stage – self actualization – the better the team can be.