Questions for coaches to consider
Coaches have a unique ability to positively influence and impact a teen's life. The relationship between coaches and student-athletes remains an integral component of the development of young people. Many adults will say that life's greatest lessons were learned during their involvement in team and individual sports. What are your student-athletes saying?
- Do you REALLY know your student-athletes? Are you aware of what they are going through on a daily basis?
- Are you getting the most out of your student-athletes?
- What are you doing to connect with your student-athletes?
- How many of your student-athletes feel like they are not good enough? Feel like they don't fit in? Have had suicidal thoughts?
- Based on your behavior only, what are the top two things your student-athletes are learning from you?
- Are you finding it difficult to motivate some of your student-athletes? What are you doing to discover what specifically motivates each student-athlete?
- Do you have an open-door policy promoting honest and vulnerable communication? Do your student-athletes view this as safe and non-judgmental, or are they afraid of sharing with you?
- What are your student-athletes wanting to do when they graduate? How are you developing and preparing them for their future?