Tied closely to fair play is how you deal with success, effort and failure.
It’s rare for a player to be trying to fail. In most cases it is the opposite: They are trying so hard to succeed that they end up getting too tense: Trying too hard. To criticise this player may end up in them becoming even tenser.
That’s why you need to become a student of people. Understanding your players personalities will allow you to get the right balance between praising effort and criticising failure. Some may respond well to you telling them that not to worry about failing while others need to be read the riot act when they do something wrong so they steel themselves the next time.
The key is to know how your players respond to different approaches. Getting it wrong can set a player back, get it right and you will push them forward.
If you are a coach, or a young player I would be interested in getting your views. Leave a comment in the box below.
