Basketball is a game that features just as much failure as success. How to handle someone else's failures as a teammate or coach is a delicate situation and one that requires tact and empathy. Sports feature mental errors and physical errors, and the two should be treated much differently when a coach or teammate decides whether to encourage or criticize.
Missed Shots
No player makes all of his shot attempts over the course of a basketball season. Missed shots happen to every player, and when they do, teammates and coaches should factor in that no player is perfect. Players who miss shots should be encouraged and told that if they shoot the ball the right way, eventually some shots will start to fall. Poor shooting technique is a sign of a lack of focus, and players leave themselves open to criticism in those situations.
Positivity
Encouragement can raise some players' self esteem and criticism can have the opposite effect. According to an excerpt from Jim Garland’s “The Baffled Parent’s Guide to Great Basketball Drills” found on the Bloomington Youth Basketball Coaching Tips website, "praise and encouragement will always get you further than yelling or tearing down your players." Many believe that staying positive with players will motivate them to play their best and with confidence.
Constructive Criticism
Criticism is an effective tool in getting better performance out of players, though youth players can sometimes have a hard time taking it. Constructive criticism is a popular method when dealing with younger players, and it involves starting with a positive before the criticism. An example is telling a player that he has a great shot, but that he missed a wide-open player that he could have passed to. According to the "Coaching With Constructive Criticism" page on Dummies.com, constructive criticism is comparable taking a bit of sugar with some bad-tasting medicine.
Physical Errors
Along with missed shots, fumbled passes, travels and other violations can be categorized as physical errors. Players often make physical errors when they are trying too hard, or when they try to make spectacular plays. Criticizing physical errors is too harsh on a player, as his intent in those situations is just to make a play to help the team. If his head is in the right place and he makes a mistake, he should be encouraged.
Mental Errors
When players do not pay attention to the game situation and make mistakes that could have been prevented by more awareness, they are guilty of a mental error. Coaches and teammates should criticize when someone makes a mental error, with the hopes that the player takes the criticism to heart and makes a better effort to focus. Players who are at a disadvantage athletically can make up for that by being mentally strong.
Member Comments