If you have not already done so, be sure and go to the following link:

http://tinyurl.com/athletemindsetcourse-free-dvd              

For the next three days I am giving away the 'Athlete Mindset Course' DVD free of charge (it has sold for $199).

Over the past month, there have been quite a few articles on various websites about successful coaching, the art of coaching, coaching 101, effective coaching, or any other name you want to give it.  These articles provide some very useful coaching principles including the importance of being present, knowing how to recognize and then correct poor technique, avoid negative cues and use praise when appropriate, and many others.

While these are obviously time tested principles, there is another extremely important variable that has been left out...the individual coaches communication style and their own values...

Don't get me wrong,  I am all for establishing a standard set of physical testing norms for a team during preseason, but it is important to be aware of what message you are sending to your players when doing so. 

By all means set the bar high and let your players know your level of expectation regarding fitness for example, but make sure the parameters are realistic for the players and not totally out of their control.  Here are two examples of programs that are missing the point:

Helping athletes improve performance and teaching them how to play their best more often is the worlds greatest profession!   As I ended my summer workouts, our local paper was kind enough to run the following article today.   I hope you enjoy it!

The following article "Development, Enhancement and Sustainability of Expert Performance in Sport' was posted in the USOC Coach Magazine. There is some fantastic information here for those who teach skills of any kind to athletes.

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