I've said it before and I'm going to say it again:
STOP HAVING HISSY-FITS WHEN MISTAKES ARE MADE!
Coaches sound like this: "We just worked on that in practice!" "You gotta make those easy shots!" "What are you doing??!!" "Are you kidding me??!!" "Get your head out of your -ss."
Your hissy-fits send this message: It's not ok to make mistakes, especially dumb ones. And when you make a mistake, get ready for my disapproval.
Parents sound like this: "Get your head in the game!" "You're better than that!" "Different day, same mistakes!" "I can't f-ing believe it!" What's going on??!!"
Your hissy fits send this message: You disappoint me when you make mistakes. And when you make them, you are going to see, hear, and feel my disappointment.
I'm a 2x Olympiand and Mental Toughness Coach and when I work with athletes, the thing they try to avoid is making mistakes. I ask them why.
"Because I don't want to get benched. I don't want to get yelled at. I don't want to feel embarrassed. I don't want to disappoint my parents. I don't want to get lectured on the car ride home." This list goes on and on.
Hissy-fits are hindering your athletes/kids growth.
Your hissy-fits are causing them to avoid taking risks, causing them to hide from trying new things. Your hissy-fits are hindering their creativity. Your hissy-fits result in them playing it safe and doing the same things they are already good at.
Bottom line: Your hissy-fits are selfish because they only serve you.
Want some help with that? Check out Mental Toughness Toolkit.
