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 Starting
Over with Self-Esteem
(This is an article from the coaching tips book -“Reach
For The Stars”. For more information contact Angela Lund of
S.T.A.R.S. Leadership Training www.starsleadershiptraining.com)
Every season we begin fresh with a new team and must learn how
to work with new talent. Many times our team has low self-esteem
as they are looking to the talent lost rather than to the talent
gained. Obviously an outgoing senior is going to be better than
an incoming sophomore so everyone needs to see their role in moving
towards the next level and fill the shoes of those who left. We
often forget where we started at the beginning of the previous year
and instead we compare where we ended. Remind your team that the
previous team’s ability grew over the year and that you have
a lot of talented athletes who will step up to the plate this season
as well. Some years may be rebuilding years but do not let your
team settle for that reality. They will not push themselves as hard
to meet the same success from the prior year if they sit back and
believe that it will be a rebuilding season.
Visit with the captains and discuss what the team feels is lacking.
Is it talent in skills, choreography, or team leadership? Then do
your best to find a solution to the insecurity. If your team is
worried about skills, hold special practices to improve the team
technique or bring in an outside source. Going to studio as a team
in the early part of the season is also a great way to bond as well
as improve. If it is choreography skills that are missing, have
the captains/choreographers research how to choreograph. There are
many books on the subject and going to team camps will improve skills.
Again, if you bring them to a studio to improve skills have one
of the experienced staff members work on combinations the team can
incorporate into routines. This will get them excited and improve
their confidence. If it is overall leadership that’s missing
than empower your captains to be the best leaders ever by analyzing
what was missing the previous year and bring those elements to the
team this season.
Remember, self-esteem is improved with baby steps so be patient.
Once your team has even the slightest bit of success harvest it.
By providing ample praise the team’s confidence will get better.
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