The Secret Sauce of Coaching

By Tim Hibbs, CSCS

As strength and conditioning coaches, we often pour our energy into building bulletproof training plans, mastering new technologies, and outfitting our facilities with the latest equipment. These efforts undoubtedly help produce resilient, high-performing athletes. Yet, in the quest for physical excellence, there’s a hidden variable we might be neglecting: how our athletes are motivated to succeed.

If you’ve ever felt that something intangible is holding your program back, you’re not alone. That missing piece could be the way we engage our athletes on a psychological level. By integrating Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Learning Organization principles, we can create programs that not only elevate athletic performance but also foster lifelong growth and motivation.

Self-Determination Theory: Motivation Beyond the Scoreboard

At its heart, SDT is about understanding the intrinsic motivation that drives people to excel. For athletes, this means tapping into their need for:

1. Autonomy: The desire to feel in control of their actions and choices.
   • Example: Allowing athletes to select exercises or set personal performance goals within their training plans.
2. Competence: The need to feel capable and effective.
   • Example: Providing athletes with achievable benchmarks, celebrating milestones, and creating opportunities to master new skills.
3. Relatedness: The need to feel connected and supported by others.
   • Example: Building strong relationships between teammates and fostering open communication with coaches.

By aligning your program with these principles, you’ll see athletes who are more engaged, satisfied, and committed to their training. These psychological wins translate to tangible results on the field.

Learning Organizations: Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Imagine a program where athletes and coaches work together to learn from every success and setback. That’s the essence of a learning organization: a culture where experimentation, feedback, and adaptation are the norm.

To determine if your program functions as a learning organization, ask yourself:

• Open Communication: Do athletes feel comfortable providing feedback? Are coaches genuinely receptive?
• Experimentation: Are you willing to try new techniques or exercises to see what works best for your athletes?
• Learning from Mistakes: Do you regularly reflect on what went well and what didn’t after each training cycle? Are program adjustments made based on these insights?

A learning organization doesn’t just adapt—it thrives. It’s a system designed to evolve with the needs of your athletes, making it a powerful tool for meeting their psychological and physical demands.

Bringing it All Together: SDT Meets Learning Organizations

The synergy between SDT and learning organization principles creates a blueprint for coaching success. Here’s how to integrate both into your program:

1. Goal Setting: Involve athletes in setting their training goals. When athletes feel ownership, they’re more motivated to follow through.
2. Choice and Feedback: Let athletes choose between two comparable exercises or conditioning drills. Continuously collect feedback to refine your approach.
3. Supportive Environment: Build a culture where athletes feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. Encourage them to support one another.
4. Data-Driven Decisions: Regularly track progress, whether through performance metrics or subjective feedback, and use this information to inform your next steps.

Why This Approach Matters

For Athletes:

• Increased motivation and engagement.
• Improved performance and reduced injury risks.
• Greater satisfaction and enjoyment in the training process.

For Coaches:

• Stronger relationships with athletes.
• More effective and adaptable programming.
• A rewarding sense of accomplishment as athletes thrive.

Unlocking Athlete Potential: Weekly Reflection Questions and Google Forms Integration

To make the Weekly Reflection Session more impactful and practical, consider integrating the process into a Google Form. This approach allows athletes to submit their thoughts and feedback conveniently while enabling you to gather responses systematically in a Google Sheet for analysis.

Suggested Weekly Reflection Questions

For Athletes

1. What was the highlight of this week’s training for you?
   (Helps identify what resonates with athletes and keeps them engaged.)
2. Was there a moment you felt particularly challenged? How did you overcome it?
   (Encourages reflection on problem-solving and resilience.)
3. Is there any aspect of the program you would like to have more input or control over?
   (Supports autonomy and fosters a sense of ownership.)
4. How well did your team support each other this week? How can we improve?
   (Promotes relatedness and teamwork.)
5. What is one thing you’d like to focus on or improve next week?
   (Drives goal-setting and forward-thinking.)

For Coaches

1. What worked well in the program this week, and why?
   (Reinforces effective practices.)
2. Where did we face challenges, and what adjustments can we make?
   (Encourages continuous improvement.)
3. How engaged were the athletes during training sessions? What factors contributed to or detracted from their engagement?
   (Evaluates the impact of program strategies on athlete motivation.)
4. Did we provide enough opportunities for athlete feedback and collaboration?
   (Ensures open communication and fosters autonomy.)
5. What new ideas or methods can we test in the coming week?
   (Encourages experimentation and innovation.)

Why Use Google Forms?

1. Convenience: Athletes can complete the form on their phone, tablet, or computer.
2. Tracking and Analysis: Responses are automatically recorded in a Google Sheet, making it easy to track trends and identify actionable insights.
3. Scalability: Manage feedback efficiently, whether working with a small group or an entire team.
4. Privacy: Anonymous submission options can encourage more honest and open feedback.

How to Implement

1. Create a Google Form:
   • Add the suggested questions under separate sections for athletes and coaches.
   • Use multiple-choice, short answer, and rating-scale question types for variety and ease of completion.
2. Share the Link:
   • Distribute the Google Form link via email, team communication apps, or a QR code posted in the weight room.
3. Review and Act:
   • Dedicate time each week to review responses and identify patterns.
   • Share key takeaways with your team and make adjustments to the program as needed.

By combining these weekly reflection questions with the power of digital tools like Google Forms, you’ll create a streamlined process that aligns perfectly with the principles of Self-Determination Theory and Learning Organizations, while making feedback accessible and actionable. Let me know if you’d like further assistance in setting up this system!

The strategies outlined in this article mirror the foundational principles emphasized in the High School Strength Coach Certified (HSSCC) program. The HSSCC equips coaches with actionable tools to enhance athlete performance, promote engagement, and build a culture of excellence that extends beyond the weight room. Ready to elevate your coaching? Join the NHSSCA today and start your journey toward certification!

Join the Journey

Are you ready to transform your program? I’m conducting a study on the effectiveness of integrating SDT and learning organizational principles into high school strength and conditioning programs. This is your chance to:

• Explore how these frameworks work in practice.
• Contribute to advancing the field of strength and conditioning.
• Gain insights from other participants and apply them to your program.

What’s Involved:

• A short initial survey about your current program.
• Implementation of suggested strategies over a six-week period.
• A final follow-up to measure results and gather feedback.

If you’re interested, contact me at txh736@miami.edu to learn more and join the study. Together, we can unlock the full potential of our athletes and programs.

Final Thoughts

Motivation and continuous learning are the keys to long-term success in strength and conditioning. By embracing Self-Determination Theory and the principles of a learning organization, you’ll elevate your athletes’ performance and create a culture of excellence that stands the test of time.

Let’s rethink how we coach and lead—because great programs aren’t just built; they evolve.

About the Author: Coach Tim Hibbs is the Director of Performance Training and Physical Education at the Pine Crest School in Florida. He has served in this role since 2011. Before that, he was an assistant football coach at Gettysburg College during the 2010 season and served as head football coach at William Penn High School in Pennsylvania from 2009-2010 and at the Upper Adams School District from 2002-2009.

References:

1. Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2012). Self-determination theory. In P. A. M. Van Lange, A. W. Kruglanski, & E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Handbook of theories of social psychology (pp. 416–436). Sage Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446249215.n21
2. Senge, P. (2006). The Fifth Discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization. Random House Books.