High school students are naturally emotional because of the hormones rushing through their systems. High school athletes often need motivation during losing streaks or when going through a rough period. If you notice morale is lower than normal, then inspire athletes to do their best and get back out on the field.
Do you know how to motivate athletes? If you’re new to coaching or never had this problem, then probably not. We created this article to help you learn techniques to boost morale and get the most out of your athletes.
They’ll be tearing up the field in no time.
Inspire Athletes Through Football Films
You likely watch films of competitors to prepare for games but don’t forget about motivational football films such as Rudy that show the underdog overcoming obstacles. These films are designed to motivate and create good feelings.
Your team watching people just like them winning and learning from their mistakes is a great way to boost morale and motivate them to do their best. If the main character of the movie can do it, why not them.
Use Motivational Language
As a coach, your job is to do more than just teach them about the game. You need to get them fired up and ready to take on teams that are bigger than they are. Coaches need to use motivational language that builds up the team’s confidence and character.
Tell them how impressive they are and how far they’ve come. If there has been a losing streak, then tell them this game is different and they’ll prevail. Motivational language can go a long way to improving the morale of the team.
Learn Individual Motivators
Every player is different, so the coach needs to know what’s bothering the players and how best to motivate them. For some, they want to be told how well they’re doing or how much they’ve improved.
Another player may need praise about how much they love the game and how they put in 100 percent for the team. Once you understand what motivates them, you can tailor a program to each player.
Make a Big Deal of Success
A win is a win, no matter how small. If the team worked well together at practice let them know. If the quarterback threw a great pass, then tell him how good it was. When morale is low, every success matters.
Success happens both on and off the field. If they make the honor roll, then congratulate them. It’s important that players feel special and that they do a great job. This can dramatically improve morale and get them fired up about the next game or practice.
Boost Their Morale with Motivation
It isn’t easy to inspire athletes, but these tips help bring your team out of the doldrums. If a team has low morale, they’re not playing at their best. It’s up to the coach to create a motivated team.
If you want to learn more about motivating a sports team, then explore our site.
