When You Believe In Your Athletes They Do Better

Research supports that expectations might be the most important key to success. When you believe in yourself, you do better, and when coaches believe in their athletes, they do better.

Years ago, a study was done that showed something remarkable about a teacher's belief in students. Researchers told teachers that some of the students in their class could be expected to be 'growth spurters,' based on the students' recent test results. The test never happened, but at the end of the year, the students' scores on IQ tests matched the teacher's false beliefs. This study shows that our expectations and beliefs about our athletes matter in how we teach and coach them and in how they perform.

In a more recent study, hundreds of students were involved in a study where they wrote essays and received critical feedback from their teachers. Half the students received an extra sentence at the bottom of the feedback. The students who received the extra sentence earned higher grades the next year. This one sentence changed students' learning so much that they achieved higher levels a year later. The extra sentence was:

I AM GIVING YOU THIS FEEDBACK BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN YOU.

These two studies show the impact that high expectations and beliefs can have on our students and athletes. It is important to communicate positive beliefs and expectations to all athletes. Adversity and obstacles are part of the process. You can't avoid it. We can help each other through them all by the way we communicate with them.

YOU CAN BE THE PERSON WHO TURNS THINGS AROUND FOR ATHLETES AND UNLOCKS A WORLD OF POTENTIAL LYING INSIDE OF THEM. IT USUALLY TAKES JUST ONE PERSON-A PERSON WHOM ATHLETES WILL NEVER FORGET.

Read more here: When You Believe In Your Students They Do Better

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