As a coach, Scott Gelbard understands the absolute necessity of providing players with constructive feedback. Coaches must critique their players without discouraging them and, ultimately, motivate them to perform better in the future.
One of the best techniques is to ask players to evaluate their own performance. By finding out how players think they performed, coaches can gauge the mind-set of their players and rethink their approach accordingly. Furthermore, showing respect for the players’ opinions strengthens the credibility of the coach and helps to motivate the team.
When providing feedback to players, coaches should focus on one primary area that needs work, instead of overwhelming players with criticism. In addition, coaches must remember to balance criticism with positive feedback, pointing out the things that players did well.