“Talk to me nice or don’t talk to me at all” is a repetitive hook that rap artist Lil Uzi Vert chants in one of his recent songs and I believe, it translates to the relationships we build, maintain, or destroy.
To coach youth during their most influential years, where expressing themselves, and communicating can become a tense exchange, our approach has to be efficient for us to produce a winning outcome.
Coach Micah Parker says, “We must learn to communicate better, pick each other UP! Not tear one another down. We are family at the end of the day.”
Our communication efforts must reflect the goal that is in mind, which is communicating effectively, during tough times, to persevere with your teammates. “Getting on a kid” may work for some, but does not expedite learning. There are ways to relay our messages without destroying the fabric of a kid’s learning curve.
Caught in between the children empowerment movement and the hard-noised disciplinarian style of coaching, we have decided to take a path of Patience + Persistence. Teach, then allow players time to Learn, Apply, Implement, Excel. This requires time. And to take time, requires patience.
Be mindful of your words. Be mindful of it all. We are ALL GREAT INFLUENCERS, whether we accept it or not. Choose to communicate (text, verbal, email, body language) with an intention to uplift, to listen, to give!
