Being a coachable listener means keeping an open mind and considering another point of view.
College coaches can not only read body language, but they can also spot those student-athletes who are coachable and those are often the more prized recruits.
While it may be true that being a coachable athlete requires zero talent, what it does require is a focused effort to make it happen. Here’s what your child can do to become more coachable.
DON’T FEAR FAILURE OR CHANGE
For most young athletes, it’s tough to get out of their comfort zone and to break a few bad habits. However, real development is not about what brought them success so far, but about what’s going to get them to the next level. Athletes improve in the long run if they get over their initial fear of change, get out of their comfort zone and put in the effort.
ASK TO BE COACHED
There is not a player out there that can’t benefit from more coaching. And sometimes, you just have to ask for it. Virtually every coach appreciates athletes who speak up and demonstrate they are there to learn and get better at their sport. The benefits are not only growth as a player, but there might be a more immediate impact, like more playing time.
LISTEN LIKE YOUR SUCCESS DEPENDS ON IT
One of the greatest skills any athlete can acquire is to be a good listener. Being a coachable listener means keeping an open mind and considering another point of view. Good listeners also ask questions when they don’t understand what they are being told. More importantly, they don’t get defensive.
BE AS HUMBLE AS YOU ARE GRATEFUL
The coachable athlete quickly gets comfortable with the fact there’s always room for improvement in their game. They also understand they are going to need help from others and that it’s possible to be humble and yet confident at the same time. Gratitude goes a long way when it comes to coaches.
While being coachable may require zero talent, as you can see, what it does require is effort.
