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| Watch as this youth football coach provides his running backs with feedback as they work to learn a new play in the offensive scheme. Pay attention to how this coach uses verbal, tank-filling comments as he works to correct a player, and notice how he uses non-verbal tank-filling cues during this drill. |
So, how do Responsible Coaches fill their players' Emotional Tanks? By striking the right balance between specific, truthful praise and specific, constructive criticism. Educational research indicates a "Magic Ratio" of 5:1, five praises to one criticism, which fosters the ideal learning environment.
Many coaches find this hard to believe, because most of our own experience as youth athletes, sons, daughters and pupils has taught us that "coaching" equals "correcting," and therefore, praise is not coaching. But a Responsible Coach who fills Emotional Tanks corrects players correctly!
The key is avoiding empty, unearned praise. Remember, the praise must be truthful and specific (i.e., not "Way to go," but, "Tim, I'm glad to see you aimed at the far post on your shot.").
Be sure your non-verbal communication also maintains the "Magic Ratio." You fill Emotional Tanks when you listen, nod, clap, or smile. Tank drainers include ignoring players, frowning, head-shaking, eye-rolling and yelling.
Videotape yourself coaching. We spend a lot of time videotaping our players and breaking down their performance. Try turning the camera on yourself for a few minutes during a game or practice. How is your non-verbal communication? What is your approximate ratio of tank filling to draining?
Beyond making sure that you and your assistant coaches are striving for the 5:1 Magic Ratio, teach your players to be consistent tank fillers, rather than drainers. This is not always easy, especially when you're coaching an extremely competitive team, where playing time is limited.
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| Elite football coaches like Liberty Mutual's Coach of the Year Greg Schiano are oftentimes faced with the challenge of fillng the tanks of players who see limited playing time. Listen as Coach Schiano describes how he and his staff kept the tank full for a walk-on, second-string quarterback on the Rutgers Football team. |
Keeping all your players' emotional tanks full can be tough, especially those who see little or no playing time. Remember that you can praise players for ways they support the team from the bench (constant positive chatter, pointing out something your opponent is doing to help a teammate on the field, etc.). You may even find creative ways to utilize your bench, such as having them analyze your opponent's defense and offer suggestions for how to beat it.
We recognize that filling players' emotional tanks is not easy, and yet it can be one of the most important elements of your job as a coach.
Together with our partners from Positive Coaching Alliance, USA Football and US Youth Soccer, we've complied some sport-specific Tank Fillers to help you with your team.
Filling Emotional Tanks: Football Suggestions
Filling Emotional Tanks: Soccer Suggestions
Next » Introducing "Filling the Emotional Tank" to Your Team