toxic coaching

The language used by coaches during both training and competition significantly impacts athletes' performance and mental wellness. While some coaches advocate for tough-love methods involving negative self-talk, compelling research suggests that this approach may diminish performance and negatively affect athletes' health.

Let's be frank here; negative self-talk is sports psychology terminology for bullying. Call it out for what it is. Sadly, it is as prevalent in masters aged sports as it is in open aged and youth sport. The insecure, outsized narcissist grows taller only as those under their supervision diminish.

How often do you see or hear a coach single out individuals and " give them a spray " ignorantly deluding themelves it will motivate the athlete concerned to lift their performance? More often than not it erodes situational self-efficacy and triggers fear of failure. Many athletes experience this fear of failure (FF) when participating; Correia and Rosado (2018), a negative emotion experienced when an individual engages in achievement-oriented activities and predicts or convinces themselves often with the aid outside agency they will not meet certain set goals Conroy et al., (2001). Although FF can motivate athletes to remain competitive and strive for good results to some extent Martin and Marsh, (2003), numerous studies have highlighted its negative impact, such as triggering athletes’ withdrawal Sagar et al., (2007), performance decline Sagar et al., (2009), anti-social sports behavior Sagar et al., (2011), burnout Gustafsson et al., (2017), and somatic and cognitive anxieties De Muynck et al., (2020).

Let's delve into how positive and negative self-talk can affect performance.

Negative Effects of Negative Self-Talk

1. Impact on Performance

Negative self-talk from coaches can significantly impair athletes' performance due to heightened anxiety and decreased self-efficacy. Being on the receiving end of unhinged tirades, liberally sprinkled with expletives, intended as they are to lift the recipient to better outcomes, is often belittling, Thelwell et al. (2010) found that critical and negative remarks from coaches contribute to performance anxiety, detracting from athletes' focus and ability to execute strategies effectively. For instance, if a coach berates a player for a mistake during a game, the player may become overly concerned with avoiding further errors, leading to a decline in their overall performance.

If, as is often the case, coaches continue to try and verbally manhandle the athlete into position, audibly berate and manipulate attitude and skill execution, the athlete is led into a black hole of indecision and second guessing of the best path execution in any given situation.

2. Mental Health Consequences

The repercussions of negative self-talk extend beyond the playing field and are linked to increased stress and a higher likelihood of mental health issues among athletes. According to Ransdell and Murray (2008), athletes experiencing negative reinforcement are more susceptible to symptoms of anxiety and depression. A sustained environment of negativity can lead to emotional withdrawal and diminished enthusiasm for competition, ultimately affecting athletic performance and commitment.

Hockey coaches who base their approach on a cycle of psychological manipulation that finds its direct corolloary in abusive relationships will over the long and arduous course of tournament play struggle to get the desired performance return from their preparatory investment and oratory rage.

3. Physical Health Risks

The psychological stress of enduring negative self-talk can manifest physically, resulting in health complications such as increased blood pressure and weakened immune responses; Sapolsky, (2004). This is of particular concern with masters-aged athletes many of whom have pre-existing health conditions including hypertension. Having anxiety levels spike with concomitant negative changes in blood pressure is a contributory trigger for cumulative negative markers of the illness. Chronic stress not only hinders performance but also makes athletes more prone to injuries, as stress can impede recovery, leading to a cycle of mental and physical decline.

There is no excuse for coaches, all of whom have access to a list of pe-existing conditions lodged by players prior to competition, to be ignorant of at-risk health triggers amongst their roster. Failure to note and plan for this is a wilfully cuplable act.

Positive Self-Talk and Its Benefits

In contrast, the practice of positive self-talk—both from coaches and within athletes—has been linked to improved performance, better mental health, and enhanced physical well-being.

1. Improved Performance Positives

Positive self-talk enhances athletes' confidence and focus, significantly improving their performance on the field. Gordon (2002) highlights that athletes who engage in positive self-talk experience improvements in motor skill execution and cognitive functioning, allowing them to perform better in high-pressure situations.

2. Mental Resilience

Encouraging positive self-talk fosters a growth mindset, leading athletes to view challenges as opportunities rather than threats Dweck, (2006). This mindset enhances resilience, enabling athletes to recover from setbacks more effectively compared to those exposed to negative feedback.

Whilst any of us who have coached at anly level struggle with the at-time thankless grind involved and shake our heads at the few feckless, lazy and uncomitted athletes we are asked to manage, the fact is we want to grow the problem solving capabilities of all individuals including those who may not fit into our personal world view of a brand of homophilic conformity that makes you feel at home. It is about inclusivity, meaning you need to broaden your mindset and adapt, which is, after all, what you are asking of your athletes; learning is a 2-way street.

3. Physical Health Benefits

Engaging in positive self-talk is associated with reduced stress levels, which can lead to better overall physical health. Goleman (2013) demonstrates that positive mental states can decrease cortisol levels, contributing to improved recovery rates and overall well-being. Athletes who maintain a positive outlook after setbacks often enjoy quicker recoveries from injuries, which benefits their long-term athletic careers.

In tournament play you must optimise recovery strategies for all; emotionally and physically.

Examples of Positive Self-Talk Strategies for Coaches and Athletes

1. Affirmation Techniques

Coaches can foster a positive environment by using affirmations that emphasize athletes' strengths. For instance, a coach might phrase encouragement as "You’ve prepared well; trust your instincts," “ you have faced similar before and done well “ rather than focusing on potential failures.

2. Constructive Feedback

Instead of only highlighting mistakes, coaches can frame feedback constructively to encourage improvement. For example, a coach might say, "You did a great job setting up that play, now let's work on finishing it," promoting a balanced view of performance.Always look for positives as small as they may be without ignoring opportunities for improvement.

Never, ever share video footage highlighting individual errors and berate the athlete concerned whether it be 1:1 or even worse in a team meeting. If there are skill and or decision errors such as positioning, poor peripheral vision these an be identified calmly and politely and seen as opportuities to jointly improve upon, not cheap humiliation points before an audience. There are video analysis platforms such as the excellent CoachLogic that enable and empower the athlete to take responsibility for performance discussion as a peer-based exercise in personal development rather than forcing them into a passive recipient state to cope with a torrent of correctional style victimisation by a punitive coach.

3. Self-Monitoring

Encouraging athletes to track their self-talk can lead to significant improvements in mindset. Athletes can learn to replace negative thoughts, like "I can't do this," with affirmations such as "I have the skill and preparation to succeed in this moment."

in-summary

The choice of language that coaches employ during games profoundly influences athletes' performance, mental health, and overall well-being. Negative self-talk can lead to diminished performance and increased mental and physical health risks, whereas positive self-talk can enhance confidence, resilience, and overall outcomes for athletes. By fostering a culture of positive reinforcement, coaches not only help their athletes achieve better results but also contribute to their long-term health and enjoyment of the sport.

References

Conroy, D. E., Willow, J. P., and Metzler, J. N. (2002). Multidimensional fear of failure measurement: The performance failure appraisal inventory. J. Appl. Sport Psychol. 14, 76–90. doi: 10.1080/10413200252907752

Correia, M. E., and Rosado, A. (2018). Fear of failure and anxiety in sport. Anál. Psicol. 36, 75–86. doi: 10.14417/ap.1193

De Muynck, G. J., Soenens, B., Delrue, J., Comoutos, N., and Vansteenkiste, M. (2020). Strengthening the assessment of self-talk in sports through a multi-method approach. Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports 30, 602–614. doi: 10.1111/sms.13609

Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success . Random House.

Goleman, D. (2013). Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence . HarperCollins.

Gordon, S. (2002). The Effect of Self-Talk on Performance in Competitive Sports. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology , 14(1), 101-112.

Gustafsson, H., Sagar, S. S., and Stenling, A. (2017). Fear of failure, psychological stress, and burnout among adolescent athletes competing in high level sport. Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports 27, 2091–2102. doi: 10.1111/sms.12797

Hu, Q. et al. (2023) “Impact of a controlling coaching style on athletes’ fear of failure: Chain mediating effects of basic psychological needs and sport commitment,” Frontiers in psychology, 14, p. 1106916. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1106916.

Ransdell, L., & Murray, N. (2008). The Relationship between Self-Talk and Performance in Women Athletes. Journal of Sports Sciences , 26(7), 803-812.

Sagar, S. S., Boardley, I. D., and Kavussanu, M. (2011). Fear of failure and student athletes' interpersonal antisocial behaviour in education and sport. Br. J. Educ. Psychol. 81, 391–408. doi: 10.1348/2044-8279.002001

Sagar, S. S., Lavallee, D., and Spray, C. M. (2007). Why young elite athletes fear failure: consequences of failure. J. Sports Sci. 25, 1171–1184. doi: 10.1080/02640410601040093

Sagar, S. S., Lavallee, D., and Spray, C. M. (2009). Coping with the effects of fear of failure: a preliminary investigation of young elite athletes. J. Clin. Sport Psychol. 3, 73–98. doi: 10.1123/jcsp.3.1.73

Sapolsky, R. M. (2004). *Why Zebras Don't Get Ul ### Negative Performance and Physical Health Effects of Negative Self-Talk from Coaches