TIPS FOR COACHES TO KEEP ATHLETES MENTALLY FIT

Coaching athletes is different today than it was even five, 10-years ago. When you started coaching, you probably did not observe or receive instruction on watching out for your athletes mental health. Your biggest concerns were the X's and O's and making sure each kid was physically fit. However, athletes at all levels have been speaking out about how athletics has affected them mentally.

Dr. Steve Graef, a Columbus-based psychologist, offers these tips for coaches. Watch, listen and observe. Coaches can gain valuable insight into their athletes by establishing a relationship and doing daily/weekly check ins to see how the athlete is doing. Dr. Graef suggested observing if the athletes behavior or attitude is changing is an indicator that a change is occurring.

 C&A is partnering with Dr. Graef to produce videos and tip sheets for coaches to better guide and understand their athletes.

VIDEOS

• How can a coach tell if an athlete is struggling?
  
• How does a coach handle an athlete with an injury?
  
• How should a coach approach athletes that are physically, emotionally, and developmentally at different stages?
  
• What are the best ways to coach a multi-sport athlete?
  
• How should coaches manage team social media accounts and provide tips for athletes on posting?
  
• Each year, a new senior class steps forward. How does a coach make every year special?
  
• How can coaches minimize the outside pressures athletes face
  
• What coaches should be aware of during conditioning
  
• How can coaches be more aware of the body changes athletes go through in a year?
• How coaches can help athletes manage performance anxiety.
• Tips for coaches to recognize if an athlete is experiencing burn out

TIP SHEETS

• Coaches promoting positive sportsmanship
  
• Substance Use among athletes
  
• Coaches can prevent Youth Sports Burnout
• How can you tell if an athlete is struggling?
• How to help an athlete through an injury
• How do coaches communicate with athletes?
• Coaching a multi-sport athlete
• How coaches manage a team's social media
• How to make senior year memorable
• Managing the pressure athletes feel
• How can coaches manage pre-season conditioning?
• How coaches manage Body image in sports?
• Eating disorders for sports coaches, clubs and teams
• How can a coach normalize anxiety for athletes?