Best Ways to Give Helpful Feedback to Athletes

Giving helpful feedback is really important when coaching. Here are some easy strategies to follow:

1. Try the Sandwich Method:

   • Start with something good that the athlete did (praise).
   • Then talk about what they can improve (criticism).
   • Finish by saying something positive again.
   • Studies show that this way can help athletes be more open to feedback by about 60%.

2. Be Specific and Clear:

   • Use clear examples when giving feedback. Instead of saying, “You need to work harder,” say something like, “I saw you having a tough time with your footwork during practice."
   • Research shows that being specific can help athletes improve by 40% because they know exactly what to work on.

3. Focus on Actions, Not the Person:

   • Talk about what the athlete did instead of who they are. This helps them not to feel defensive.
   • Surveys show that athletes are 75% more likely to accept feedback when it’s about their actions, not about their character.

4. Encourage Them to Think for Themselves:

   • Ask questions that help athletes think about their own performance. For example, “What do you think you could do better today?”
   • This approach can make them 50% more engaged in the feedback process.

5. Check in Later:

   • Plan to talk again about how they’re doing and to go over the feedback you gave.
   • Keeping the conversation going can help their performance improve by up to 30% over time.