Teaching Resilience Is A Key Skill In Today’s Youth Sport Leadership.
Developing The Inner Game Must Now Be A Core Competency.
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In youth sport and performance much time, effort and money are invested in the physical skill development, without much conscious development of the mental (inner) game. Mental skills are developed but often serendipitously, now that must evolve.
Coaches, teachers and parents are needing a different approach to influencing young people in a positive way in 2022, when compared to previous generations. Growing up today brings different challenges than in the past and different strategies are required.
Leadership in inner development starts with self.
It is very difficult to teach and influence young people without an awareness of our own mental game. This is often a challenging step for leaders and influencers as it requires a look in the mirror prior to guiding others.
What is the inner game?
We will look at inner development from 2 perspectives:
1. Related to performance on the playing field referred to as the “inner game”. According to Timothy Gallwey, the inner game takes place within the mind of the player and is played against such obstacles as fear, self-doubt, lapses in focus, and limiting concepts or assumptions.
Our interview with Coach Doug McKeen in April 2021 revealed his approach to working on exactly that. Unlocking the brain’s ability to support physical performance.
Note: As we head into youth baseball season, a great resource for coaches and parents was this interview:
2. Related to self, off the field. Tina Lifford refers to this as inner fitness.
According to Lifford: “Inner fitness means developing the mental, emotional and spiritual skills and practices that foster resilience”.
Can you think of anyone who might not benefit from developing these skills?
In regarding performance on the field, that comes back to coaching skills that improve competence, meet the demands of the game that will support performance. Regarding “inner fitness” off the field, this may be the more relevant, fundamental and necessary area of inner development for youth athletes in today’s world.
Examples of inner development:
Generosity.
Many youth sport teams do something in the community. From events to raise money for those less fortunate, to volunteering at senior’s residences, performing yard work in neighborhoods or even volunteering at a local food bank, our bodies and minds benefit in a variety of ways when we help others.
This kind of initiative teaches the value of generosity in practice, rather than just theory.
“One of the best anti-anxiety medications available is generosity” according to Adam Grant, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania.
The act of volunteerism in coaching speaks specifically to this point. Volunteering our time and giving back to those starting out through youth sport does provide does release the brain’s feel-good chemicals.
The role of calm.
In this harried world of manic movements and multiple things pulling at our attention, helping others find their calm is a critical skill to develop.
In youth sport, there is a time and place for excitement and energy, but often it seems that manic energy comes at the expense of finding balance with calm.
A coach/teacher can help young people find mindful moments in the regular tasks of skill practice for example. A pressure filled practice focused out outcome only is counterproductive to this skill. There are examples of coaches taking a few minutes for clearing of the mind activities to start or finish practice or even pre-game. The development of developing the right time for calm translates to good off field mental health.
Being gentle on ourselves.
The world is harsh. Expectations are often high. We feel pressure in a different way today than years gone by. Self-compassion entails being warm and understanding toward ourselves when we suffer, fail, or feel inadequate, rather than ignoring our pain or dousing ourselves with self-criticism.
Self-compassion comes from a perspective of encouragement as well as acknowledging that mistakes are critical in the learning process. Practicing self-compassion can reduce depression, stress and performance anxiety.
How to practice self-compassion?
Be mindful, grateful, generous and adopt a growth mindset. In youth sport we see many being very hard on themselves. Parents and coaches, we see you being very hard on players. Reducing or eliminating criticism, teaching context while practicing our own self-compassion goes a long way in developing this skill.
The skill of paying attention.
Paying attention to our thoughts supports resilience. Understanding when the inner critic comes and having some strategies to accept them and deal with them. The skill of not berating oneself for a mistake on the field of play can translate to similar strategies off the field when faced with a difficult situation. Controlling breathing, positive self-talk and learning how to frame positive experiences are ways that can slow down or offset the impact of a negative slide of thoughts.
Physical activity releases the good brain chemicals that alter mood and negativity, hence the recommendation of getting the day off to a good start by breaking a sweat.
The time has come where teaching inner development needs to be part of the coaches’ agenda. Organizations can take the lead in including this in coaches certifications. Parents can take the lead in taking responsibility for our own inner development. It is very tough to teach inner strength when we do not practice it ourselves.
A good coach does not necessarily need to be a good player on the field when it comes to sport performance.
However, when it comes to strength of mind, developing resilience and good mental health : strong role modelling is a steppingstone to strong influence and the development of strong people.