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In practice and numerous scientific studies, it has been proven that the coach is one of the most vital motivational factors. With his charisma, authority, and expertise, the coach can have a very encouraging effect on the athletes. The coach’s influence comes to the fore on an individual level, in personal contact with each athlete, but also on the team (club) level through the development of a desirable motivational climate. The motivational climate consists of the psychological features of the sports environment, which are shaped by the coach’s leadership and through interaction with the athletes.
To increase and maintain the motivation of athletes, a motivational climate focused on learning and cooperation of team members is desirable, and it prevails when the coach emphasizes the importance of learning, an improvement over the result, and victory when the cooperation of team members is encouraged instead of mutual competition, when effort and effort are rewarded and praised, and every athlete is equally important and has a clear role in the team. Coaches who create this kind of environment are usually more instructive, give significantly more positive feedback and support to their athletes, and use some principles of democratic leadership.
The second type is a motivational climate focused on outcomes and results. In such an environment, the imperative of winning and results are highlighted, there is competition between teammates, and the coach usually has ‘favorite players’, the so-called. The “stars” he considers very talented and those in the team have a special status. Mistakes and poor performances are punished, athletes are afraid of coaches and mistakes (not understanding them as part of learning but as proof of their own incompetence), and they are less satisfied and less motivated. These teams are less cohesive, and the risk of conflict with the coach or between teammates is greater.
Coaches who shape this kind of psychological climate are mostly autocrats, less instructive, not inclined to an individual approach, and give less feedback and support to their athletes. As a rule, this environment carries more risks for a negative impact on motivation and encourages an athlete’s focus on results and victory.
A good result is the easiest to increase the motivation of athletes. In addition, the coach is an important motivational factor at all times.
How do we recognize a motivated athlete?
Coaches most often use practical indicators. A motivated athlete is one who is always ready to work and invest, who does not find it difficult to make sacrifices, and who can be counted on at all times. He is motivated, for whom every result is an incentive to move on, he uses victory to set an even higher standard for himself, which he will reach with further persistent work and commitment.
He uses defeat to see his own shortcomings and readily starts working extra hard to make up for them. In sports practice, motivation is often misunderstood. Sometimes coaches’ beliefs and attitudes about motivation are too simplistic. Motivation is understood as ‘arousal’, and coaches use pre-competition ‘motivational speeches’ to raise athletes’ motivation. Such strategies are often wrong and counterproductive.
