It can be said that the role of a sports coach is quite similar to that of a parent. It involves nurturing, developing the right behaviours, creating structure and building independence. So, when coaches support their athlete’s needs, they can expect to see their fledgling talent grow from strength to strength. Much like with…
It might be the buzzword of recent times, but the term ‘growth mindset’ very much deserves its time in the spotlight. For those unfamiliar with it, growth mindset has been referred to as viewing intelligence as fluid, rather than inherent. It’s a view widely shared in sports psychology with the belief that we all…
Emotions play an important role in sports, after all we are driven by our passions. As such, dealing with pressure is a by-product of being an athlete. For better or worse, it’s something you’re going to face in its every form and quite regularly too. From training to competitions, from ourselves and each other;…
He was the greatest heavyweight boxer of a generation, and still remains one of the most admired sports people of all time. Muhammad Ali left an indelible print on the world, with his quick wit, boxing prowess and unwavering belief in himself. Dubbed ‘The Louisville Lip’, Ali used the sport to bridge cultural barriers,…
Keeping a positive mental attitude is a crucial part of being an athlete. Talent aside, a key strength that any sports person needs in their athletic training programme is; the ability to deal with winning and losing, pressure in a competitive environment, and coming back from injury. In short; you’re going to need to…
Athletes may be the ones to pick up the medals, but as any professional will tell you, it takes more than just one person to win a race. Competitive athletes usually have an army behind them, and central to this team is the ever-present sports coach. We’re the ones shouting from the side-lines, texting…
We’ve all heard the saying ‘you are what you eat’; so, when it comes to children, a healthy balanced diet is essential for learning and development. With more pressure on children than ever before to outperform in exams, and with greater competition to get in to further education, it’s important to support your child’s…
As any athlete knows, a balanced diet, a good training regime and mental preparation are crucial for success in competitions. Yet, the years of daily sports regimes, the hours spent honing your training programme and a considered nutritional intake, count for little if you’re not in the right frame of mind before a competition….
Listening is key to effective communication, and active listening skills can be learnt and improved. If you think back to your sports coaching course and training, you might recall the emphasis on listening. This is because sports coaching goes beyond performance; a sizeable amount of what we do relates to counselling and mentorship. Central…
It’s fair to say that no one knows your child quite like you do. Their charms and quirks, habits and preferences, all committed to mind through years of tolerance and teaching alike! But when it comes to exercise for kids, should parents assign themselves the role as chief coach? It’s a much-debated point and…