How coaches can support athletes through the mental challenges of sport
I've written a lot about how parents can identify and support young athletes who struggle to regulate their emotions in sport.
Coaches also play a crucial role in helping athletes navigate the challenges they experience. As a coach, you develop a bond with your athletes that is different from other relationships in their lives. Athletes value your opinions, beliefs and evaluations of themselves, often listening to your advice like gold dust.
But what happens when things start to go wrong? An athlete might expect more from you, hoping you'll fix the problem or provide the answer. You know there's only so much you can do to encourage and motivate them, particularly when the difficulties they're experiencing are psychological rather than physical.
On the flip side, you might notice an athlete trying to hide their struggles. They become more withdrawn or less engaged because they don't want others to see that they're facing a problem. Instead, they isolate themselves in the hope that they can figure things out on their own.
In both situations, the support you provide can make a huge difference. You don't need to act as their counsellor or psychologist, as that's not your area of expertise. However, there are small things you can do to recognise when an athlete is struggling and help them navigate a difficult period.
How to recognise when an athlete might be struggling
Sometimes, the signs are subtle. You might notice changes in their behaviour, attitude or performance, such as:
Their performance drops unexpectedly
They perform well in training but struggle to reproduce those performances in competition
Their emotional reactions are stronger than usual
They become more nervous or hesitant about things that didn't previously bother them
They interact differently with you or those around them
These changes don't automatically mean an athlete is struggling psychologically, but it’s worth checking in to find out how they're doing.
How to support an athlete who is struggling
Listen without judgement. Show them that you care and that you're there for them when they're ready to talk. Sometimes, simply knowing someone is willing to listen can make a big difference.
Be curious about what's happening in their world. Ask how things are going in general, how they feel about their recent performances and what they make of what's happening. Give them the opportunity to share their perspective rather than jumping straight in with advice or solutions.
Normalise their emotions. Whether they're feeling frustrated, disappointed, upset or guilty, remind them that it's okay to experience these emotions. There's nothing wrong with them for feeling this way. You can help them explore how they'd like to respond to these experiences in a way that supports their performance and wellbeing.
Ask how you can support them. Once you've noticed a recurring pattern and things aren't improving, ask: "How can I support you through this?" They might not have an answer straight away, so give them time to think about it. It's important they have a say in the support they receive. Checking in too frequently can feel overbearing, but leaving them to figure things out alone might give the impression you don't care. Finding the right balance is key.
When an athlete's training performances aren't translating into competition
You can prepare an athlete physically for competition, but sometimes their performance doesn't reflect what they're capable of.
They might be running PB pace in training but struggling to reproduce it in races. They might become preoccupied with the result, lose confidence after a poor performance or find it difficult to trust themselves when the pressure is on.
As a coach, you've already played an important role in supporting them. But sometimes, an athlete needs additional support to understand what's happening for them psychologically and learn how to respond differently.
That's where sport psychology can help.
I work with athletes to help them understand their experiences, build confidence in their own abilities and develop ways of responding to the challenges they face in training and competition.
I can work directly with your athlete or team, tailoring psychological support to their needs. Where appropriate, I can also work collaboratively with you as their coach, helping you understand how to support their development.
You don't need to have all the answers as a coach, and speaking to a sport psychologist could be a helpful next support ogether.
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