Using physical activity as punishment
“Hey team Blue you lost 4-2 yesterday, I want you to get on the line and do runs” Does this sound familiar, the realities of coaching are most of us as we begin our coaching journey coach the way we were coached. That means we as coaches were taught coaching in a very transactional way, if you don't do or get to this the consequences are this.
It's a tried and tested method of many things in coaching. Losing teams do push ups, players aren't listening, start running, we lost our last game and people didn't work hard enough, 50 burpees for everyone, maybe if we worked hard you wouldn't have to do this!! Many of us as players or as coaches have applied this tactic to get what is desired. As James Lehman says “You can’t punish kids into doing acceptable behavior.
What does this all mean or more importantly how does this impact young athletes. These would fall into two main categories which would be the physical risk to athletes and the mental or psychological risk to them.
The players have just played a 90 minute game and for them have done their best, but we as coaches are not satisfied with their performance. So we run them, and run them and run them. Are there health risks we are taking into account for those athletes, asthma, environmental risks (heat or cold) physical fatigue, muscle overuse due to fatigue. Then there are the psychological risks that are associated with this. Based on data collected between 2017 and 2021 41.9% of adults in the US have obesity. How is this relevant to having 12 years run because they lost a game?
This is relevant because as we think we are changing behaviors or motivating players, what we are really doing is implanting in our young athletes minds how they now view exercise as a negative consequence. How over time they view exercise as a negative as opposed to something that can be inspiring, life changing, freeing in their lives. What instead if we build relationships with players and when there are behaviourally issues talk with them and get into their world. “Johnny I notice when I am talking you are distracted and not paying attention, can we discuss why this is and how I can help you.” Suzie, when I am coaching and making a point I noticed that you turn away and on occasion don't see to pay attention, is there a reason for this and what can I do to support you? Is there something I could change so you can understand what I am asking.”
How many of us as coaches offer to change what we are doing rather than telling the player their attitude is not acceptable and if they dont change they will be running laps? When we use exercise as punishment we draw a line in the sand between us as coaches and the players, it's my way or the highway mentality. When we converse and get to understand our players we develop relationships and get to better understand what players are going through and what we can do to better support them in what may be a difficult moment in their lives. One simple line changes everything when we are talking with players. “How can I help”.
