This is likely going to piss off a lot of coaches and I'm going to say it anyway:
We manipulate the actions of our athletes using reward and punishment.
Maybe it won't piss you off so much if I add that we do it unintentionally.
We are simply doing what we have been taught.
We coach the way we were coached. We do what's accepted by the sport culture.
Here’s the problem: The athletes I work with tell me the "carrot and stick" are confusing.
The same person that rewards them also punishes them.
They feel insecure and trust is lacking.
They want the reward so badly, and they so deeply fear the consequences.
They want to please you. They want you to like them. They want more playing time.
They don’t want to disappoint you. They don’t want to be judged. They don't want to be blamed and shamed.
The carrot and stick successfully manipulate their behaviour.
There's got to be a better way.
I have some ideas.
"When you know better, you do better."
My Mental Toughness Training helps you do better.
