Building Self-Esteem II
Positive Post Race Feedback and Race
Analysis
By Randy Rossi
Irvine High School
I have said before that I believe that self-esteem plays an extremely
important role in the success of both an individual and a team in cross country. In fact,
I am more convinced than ever that the effort to build self-esteem is one of the most
important elements of the cross country program at Irvine High School. I continue to find
that the easiest way to begin to build self-esteem in an athlete is through the use of
continual positive reinforcement. I always make an effort to praise each one of the Irvine
athletes as often as possible on a daily basis. I have coached the girls at Irvine High
School for the past 17 years, and I feel more strongly each year about the benefits of
using unconditional positive reinforcement with the female athlete. Although I have much
less experience coaching the boys, I feel that this approach can easily be adapted to
coaching the male athlete. In "Building Self Esteem II", I would like to discuss
the value of positive post-race feedback and positive race analysis.
There are as many approaches to post-race feedback as there are cross
country coaches in the U.S. today. I'm certain that this topic can easily stir up a lively
conversation at any gathering of coaches. The following is a quick look at what I do to
try to build self-esteem in the post-race setting.
When?
I have found that the post-race analysis can be divided into two
different formats -- verbal and written. The verbal post-race analysis usually consists of
a conversation between the athlete and I soon after the race. The written post-race
analysis form is completed at home by the athlete following the race, and turned in with
the Daily Running Journal each Monday. The Irvine Race Analysis form is a product of one
that I received at a coaching clinic, and then adapted with the input and recommendations
of my athletes over the years. There is a good sample of a race analysis form in the
appendix of the AAF/CIF Cross Country Coaching Manual.
Verbal Race Analysis
I try to meet with each athlete at the finish chute after every race. I
immediately celebrate team success and individual success or improvement. I congratulate
each athlete on her race. The positive reinforcement is unconditional. Regardless of her
time or her finish place, each athlete receives strong positive reinforcement. I then
briefly discuss the race with each girl. After the individual conferences, I decide who
needs the most immediate attention. If an athlete is excited and elated, it is easy to
give immediate positive reinforcement. I try to point out as many of the positive elements
of her race performance and strategy that I can. This may also be a good time to reassess
the athlete's race goals and encourage her to step confidently up to the next level or a
higher challenge.
If a girl is deeply distressed about her race, then I have a more
extended conversation with her regarding her specific concerns about her performance. I
always treat each race as a learning experience. First, I will attempt to diminish her
negative feelings. I will find a positive element of her race and assure her that the race
was not the total disaster that she perceives it to be. I will always try to turn a
disappointing race into a positive learning experience for the athlete. I feel that it is
important that the athlete analyze the race in order to learn from her mistakes. I will
instruct her to examine the mistakes, highlight the lessons to be learned, and release the
negative or self-destructive feelings to be forgotten forever. I feel it is essential that
the athlete not be allowed to "beat herself up" over a disappointing race. I
have a friend who loves to remind me that sports really only represent the "toy
department of life" and, consequently, we should not allow sports to be blown out of
perspective.
Written Race Analysis
The Irvine Race Analysis form is required of every member of the team.
The race analysis form offers the athlete the opportunity to examine her race and a chance
to record her observations. The athletes must complete a race analysis form for each race
in which they run. The analysis is due on the Monday following the competition or
competitions. On Monday night I read each of the race analysis sheets and write a response
to each athlete's comments. I find this to be an excellent opportunity to give additional
positive reinforcement to the athlete. In the event that I find an athlete who still
harbors negative feelings about her race, I can again provide her with positive
reinforcement, encouragement, and the instructions to learn from the race and forget all
but the positive. I assure them that they can learn from the experience, and then begin to
work immediately so that it doesn't happen again. I return the journals to the girls on
Tuesday after practice. I have noticed that Tuesday after practice when I return the
journals to the team, they turn immediately to the race analysis page to read what I have
written.
Where?
The post-race feedback and positive race analysis can be conducted in
an endless variety of settings. When celebrating a great team race or a great individual
race, the conversation should be conducted in as large a group as possible. The elation
and the joy are contagious. Share the excitement with as many members of the team as
possible. I try to congratulate the team and the athletes numerous times throughout the
duration of the meet to reinforce the positive, confidence boosting effects of the good
race. I congratulate the parents of the athlete and share the excitement with them as
well.
If an athlete is distressed about her performance, I usually take a
moment to assess the situation before deciding where to hold the conversation. If the
athlete is expressing great disappointment and negative feelings at the finish chute, I
will walk with her toward our team camp and begin to reassure her. I immediately try to
guide her toward a positive race analysis and the revelation of any positive lessons to be
learned. If the dissatisfied athlete is already in our team camp, I may hold an individual
conference with the athlete a few feet away from the team camp. There are also times when
I find it advantageous to speak with a disappointed athlete while she is surrounded by her
teammates. The support offered by her teammates is often very beneficial in helping the
athlete to overcome her disappointment, and to begin to find the positive lessons to be
learned.
In the event that the entire team appears to be distressed following a
disappointing race, we will hold a team meeting as soon as possible. I will take the team
on its post-race jog down soon after the conclusion of the race, and I will select a
unique location for the team meeting. During the meeting, I will try to put the race into
perspective for the team. I will highlight the positive things that the team did during
the performance. I will ask each girl to share her distress or disappointment with the
group. Once every member of the team has had a chance to share, I will try to help them to
refocus their energy on the positive. I remind them of the good things that they have
done, and I guide them toward identifying the things that they can begin to do to prevent
these same mistakes from happening again. These team meetings are held only in case of
extreme team distress. However, the team meetings that I have held in the past have
produced very positive results. Invariably, the team will bounce back from the
disappointment with greater dedication and greater desire to achieve their goals.
Away meets provide another excellent opportunity to provide each
athlete with positive post-race feedback. As the athletes descend from the bus, I stand at
the door so I can shake each girl's hand and congratulate her on her performance. I feel
very strongly about this activity because it provides each athlete with one more positive
thought as they leave for home.
What to say?
In my opinion, it is never acceptable to use criticism nor negative
post-race feedback with a female athlete. Regardless of the inner thoughts I may
experience, I feel that it is essential to accentuate only the positive. If I am
disappointed in the outcome of a team or an individual race, I strongly attempt to put
those negative feelings far aside. I force myself to think carefully about the message I
want to send, and the long-term impact or effects my comments may have. I have learned,
over the years, that relentless positive reinforcement pays enormous dividends throughout
the course of the season and beyond, while negative post-race feedback wreaks havoc with
teams and individuals.
Negative or destructive post-race feedback include, but are in no way
limited to: criticism, the "cold shoulder", yelling at an athlete, berating an
athlete, the silent treatment, team and/or individual punishment of any kind for a
disappointing performance.
This does not mean that it is not necessary to offer constructive
criticism or guidance to an athlete. As I mentioned earlier, I try to make every race into
a learning experience. However, if the lesson is presented in a positive, nurturing way, I
feel that the lesson will be better learned and more easily internalized.
Positive reinforcement can assume an infinite variety of forms. I try
to be creative and original in finding ways to communicate positive reinforcement to my
athletes. Any way that a coach can say "good job, nice job, great job, phenomenal
job, spectacular job, extraordinary job, superb job . . .!" to an athlete is most
excellent.
Conclusion
Building self-esteem is an extremely important element of coaching
cross country. One of the simplest and most effective methods of improving or building
self-esteem is unconditional positive post-race reinforcement. At Irvine High School, I
try to offer this boundless positive post-race feedback in as many ways as I can imagine.
I praise each athlete before and after each race, and again through the post-race analysis
in the running journals.
At first, I was afraid that such constant praise may produce a negative
result. However, I have yet to detect a point of diminishing returns with positive
reinforcement. It never loses its value, and it pays extraordinary dividends throughout
the course of the season, and well beyond the conclusion of the last race of an athlete's
career. The more positive post-race feedback and praise you lavish on your athletes, the
more positive the results.
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