🏆 Great Players are Coachable. What does "being coachable" look like?

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Here's what's coming:

• 9 Attributes of Coachable Athletes.🏆

• Some Jackie Robinson GOLD.🥇

• Laken James on Failure. 🚩

• Read Time ~ 5 minutes.

Let's dive in.

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💭 ONE THOUGHT

Do you have "Coachable" Players?

We all want coachable players.

But what does it mean to be coachable? What do coachable players look like? What do they do? How do they act?

What does being "Coachable" look like?

According to Britannica, the definition of "Coachable" is the following:

"Capable of being easily taught and trained to do something better."

Ask your players these three questions:

• Are you receptive to feedback?

• Are you receptive to constructive criticism?

• Will you use constructive criticism to improve your performance?

Below is a list of 9 Key Characteristics of a Coachable Athlete.

1: Highly Accountable

First, coachable athletes are highly accountable to their team and themself.

They take responsibility.

They may lead and hold others accountable, too, but they first lead by example and hold themselves accountable.

2: Listening Skills

How does the coach know you are "hearing" what they say?

How do you validate being coached?

Communication is always a two-way street.

Coachable athletes are focused on the coach when they are speaking. They are not distracted. They are not in side conversations. They show their focus through eye contact and nodding. This is how good communication works.

Part of listening is also asking for validation of what we just said. A good, coachable player can restate what was coached to them to ensure both are on the same page.

3: Good Body Language

Do you slouch? Do you avoid eye contact? Do you roll your eyes? Do you exude positive or negative energy?

Are you attentive? Do you affirm the feedback from the coach? Are you alert?

Most of how we communicate is really through our body language.

Since being coachable is also about communication, athletes need to be aware of their body language and its impact on their own learning and the team.

4: Approach to Failure

Coachable players view failure as a growth opportunity. They never consider it as a result. For this reason, they are always looking to grow, improve, and get better.

This allows them to have a mindset of continuous improvement.

John Maxell said it best.

"The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure." John Maxwell

5: Seeks Feedback from the Coach

Do you love to learn? Do you want to be great?

The best athletes are always wanting to learn and grow. They seek out feedback. They do not wait for the coach to tell them something.

They are inquisitive. They ask.

They understand that they are always learning. It is a mindset of continuous improvement.

Coachable athletes seek feedback,

6: No Excuses

Coachable athletes do not make excuses. When athletes receive feedback or criticism, they do not immediately come back with a reason or excuse.

They listen.

They affirm the feedback, they learn, and they move on.

7: Leave the Ego at the Door

Be humble enough to learn. No one is irreplaceable. No one is too big for the team.

Be willing to accept constructive feedback. The ego focuses on the past. Coachable athletes focus on the present.

They focus on learning and personal growth.

8: Accepts Constructive Criticism

Accepting criticism is different than believing criticism. Constructive criticism is about growth.

Some of what you hear may not be accurate, but some will.

Be willing to filter out what is given to you and take the pieces that will provide growth and meaning.

When athletes cannot accept any criticism, they get in trouble. These players are not coachable.

9: Executes what the Coach Asks

No matter what they might think about the game plan of the coach's decision, a coachable athlete will do what the coach asks.

Coachable athletes know that a team is made up of many people who all have a role.

The coach has a role too.

Coachable athletes respect the coach's role and follow through and execute the coach's decisions.

There you go! Nine things to look for in coachable players. Also, nine skills for coaches to try and build in their players to help them become more coachable.

Good Luck!

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