Ideas To Motivate Athletes

Athletic performance requires long hours of training, practicing and performing. Without motivation, it is likely a player might not reach his full potential. Motivation also is important because it is one of the few controllable factors in athletic performance: While you can't always control weather or opponent skill, your motivation affects your ability to prepare to be at your best. Because motivation might not always come naturally, coaches and others, including athletes themselves, can provide needed motivation to succeed.

Focus on Long-Term Goals

The everyday practice and training requirements can wear on an athlete and decrease motivation. If your athlete is having trouble seeing the big picture, have her focus on long-term goals. Have her write down what she ultimately wants to achieve through athletic performance. This can be as big as "win an Olympic gold medal" to "making the soccer team." Have her carry this written reminder in her wallet or another accessible place that helps her remember what she's working for every day.

Make Playing Fun

Athletic performance can begin to feel like a job when an athlete begins to reach the upper levels of performance. What once was a fun outlet for activity can become something that is dreaded, which can severely drain motivation. Sometimes you must make athletic activity fun again. Don't keep score for a day, add a team-building game or incorporate a training activity that has no purpose except to laugh and have fun.

Do Something Inspiring

Music, movies and mentors: These three "M's" can inspire and motivate athletic performance. Place motivating, fast-paced music during a practice to help athletes push themselves harder or arrange a team movie night during which an inspiring movie is shown. Another motivational option is to bring in a guest speaker who has made a significant achievement in the athletic field. Seeing another's success can re-energize an athlete to push forward.

Reward Effort

Effort and results are closely connected in the athletic world. When an athlete is willing to put in the time and training, he often is rewarded with faster speed or greater strength. Rewarding effort can be as simple as providing encouraging words or writing a letter or email to the athlete recognizing her performance. You also can offer an incentive to an entire athletic team, such as a small gift or outing for attending a certain number of practices or bench pressing a desired amount of weight.

Misconception

One motivational technique coaches commonly use actually is ineffective, according to Dr. Michael Zito, a sports psychologist interviewed on the Association for Applied Sports Psychology. According to Dr. Zito, a "win-at-all-costs" mentality can lessen a participant's motivation. Instead, focus on an athlete performing at her personal best.