"The distance between dreams and reality is DISCIPLINE."
- Anonymous
Discipline is the bridge between an athlete’s dreams and their success. As a coach, it’s essential to instill discipline in your athletes not just as a set of routines or rules, but as a mindset that values continuous learning, growth, and dedication.
To help my high school lacrosse team understand this, I shared this analogy that sports are like school:
a. Drills and Skill Sessions are like being in class and taking notes. This is where you soak in the lessons and focus on each technique, paying close attention to the fundamentals.
b. Scrimmages and Game Situations in practice are like quizzes, a smaller test of what you’ve learned so far. They’re opportunities to apply and test skills in a controlled environment.
c. Games and Competitions are like final exams. These are the moments to showcase mastery, testing how much you've developed and highlighting areas for improvement.
By viewing every drill, scrimmage, and game as a step toward mastery, athletes can focus on growth rather than just results. This approach promotes a disciplined, feedback-oriented mindset that drives consistent improvement.
Coaching Tips for Building Discipline
1. Encourage a Learning Mindset
Shift the focus from outcomes to skill acquisition and improvement. Reinforce that practice and drills are valuable learning moments that go beyond the “win” or “lose” mentality.
2. Foster an Open-Feedback Environment
Teach athletes to embrace feedback as a tool for growth. A disciplined athlete values constructive criticism, so make feedback sessions routine and collaborative. Encourage athletes to seek feedback from coaches and teammates alike.
3. Help Athletes Set Process-Oriented Goals
Guide your athletes in setting small, achievable goals that focus on specific skills or aspects of their game. This helps keep them motivated and disciplined, as they can see incremental progress.
4. Teach the “Why” Behind the “What”
Explain the reasons behind each drill and strategy. When athletes understand the purpose of each practice session, they’re more likely to stay focused and disciplined, as they see how each activity builds toward their goals.
5. Instill Accountability
Encourage athletes to be accountable to themselves and their teammates. Create partnerships or groups where athletes check in on each other’s progress and hold each other to high standards.
6. Reinforce Mental Toughness
Mental discipline is as crucial as physical discipline. Integrate techniques like visualization, positive self-talk, and mindfulness exercises into practices to build resilience.
Effective Coaching Techniques
1. Use Positive Reinforcement
Celebrate efforts and improvements, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement builds confidence, helping athletes stay disciplined even during challenging times.
2. Integrate Reflective Breaks
After each drill or practice session, have athletes reflect on what went well and what could be improved. This practice encourages a growth mindset and helps them self-assess their progress.
3. Role-Model Discipline
Show discipline in your own coaching style. Consistently show up prepared, stay positive, and demonstrate the values you want your athletes to adopt. Leading by example helps athletes understand that discipline is a daily commitment.
4. Develop Resilient Problem-Solving Skills
During practice, present athletes with scenarios where they have to find solutions on their own. Whether it’s adjusting tactics during a scrimmage or developing new strategies, fostering problem-solving skills enhances focus and discipline under pressure.
5. Encourage Peer Coaching
Allow athletes to coach each other during drills or provide feedback in a positive way. Peer coaching encourages team cohesion, mutual respect, and accountability—key components of disciplined, high-performing teams.
6. Set a Culture of Consistency
Discipline thrives in a stable, consistent environment. Set regular routines, clear expectations, and consistent consequences to help athletes understand that discipline is a non-negotiable part of their journey.
7. Focus on Mastery, Not Perfection
Emphasize mastery rather than flawless execution. Encourage athletes to approach every drill, every game, and every challenge as a chance to get one step closer to mastery rather than expecting perfection.
Building a Mindset of Mastery
Discipline is ultimately about the pursuit of mastery. By helping athletes understand that each practice, drill, and game is part of a journey, coaches can empower them to stay disciplined, resilient, and driven. Encourage your athletes to find their “why”—their passion for the game—and watch as they transform dreams into achievements through discipline.
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