As coaches, we spend a significant amount of time building up the confidence of our players. We do that because self-confidence is a foundation for great performances.

The research (Goldsmith, 2014) tells us that: Athlete self-confidence = Self-belief x Evidence

In coach speak, self-confidence = Who I am x What I do or have done.

A player’s previous achievements, successes and accolades are a combined result of the quality of their preparation and performances.

Some athletes run high on self-belief. It is innate. With a combination of their inherited characteristics and early experiences, self-belief is often established by age 10. Players with a strong sense of self-belief require little “evidence” to help them create their self-confidence.

Conversely, athletes who lack self-belief require a considerable amount of time, effort and energy and need to be reminded of the evidence to create the self-confidence required to perform to their full potential.

Think of the players in your team. You know who these players are. Some will sit at extremes of the self-confidence spectrum; some will sit along this line.

As a coach, you play a key role in the self-confidence equation. You exert significant authority in creating and maintaining the right practice environment and supporting player learning and development. Your coaching, leadership and management skills are critical in order to put each player and the team in the best position to succeed. This is a real responsibility.

But how often do you consider your own self-confidence?

How often have you felt yourself facing uncertainty in either designing a practice plan, managing players and staff or finding answers to schematic problems on a Friday night?

As with players, self-confidence is critical for coaches. Here are eight ways to nourish and build your confidence as a coach:

Plan SMART. Goal setting is critical. Use the SMART acronym to help you, your coaching assistants and your team set SMART goals for the season, for each player’s development and for each session. Taking the time to properly plan will help ensure you are prepared and confident in what the entire team is striving toward.

Set standards and attitudes high. This includes things like attendance, punctuality, commitment, effort, body language and support for others. You can determine what this includes with your team at your pre-season meeting. Remember, all people including coaches, players and parents are responsible for the standards set.

Control the controllables. Focus only on what you can directly control or influence. This will determine how and where to invest your coaching time and energy. “Uncontrollables” include the other team, the officials, the weather, field conditions, the past, the outcome and other people’s expectations. When you know you’re devoting your resources toward only things that you can impact, it’s easier to be confident in your actions.

Focus on the positives. When reviewing practice and game performance, focus on the positives first. Being negative will not only kill your own confidence, but it will also sap the confidence of those around you. Try using the ‘P-I-G’ approach to generating feedback with the coaching team and players:

• Positives – explore what went well
• Improvements – identify what would be “even better if”
• Goals – state “next time we will”

Catch yourself being excellent. Use the reflections and feedback to reinforce best practice, i.e., what you did as a coaching team to support player learning and development. Keep a “victory log” of the big things and even the small, little,  imperceptible things you did during practice or the game which were small victories. Use these as your "evidence" when you feel your self-confidence is waning.

Be kind to yourself. Get in the habit of being a forgiving, positive coach to yourself. When you make mistakes, learn from them and let them go. Don’t dwell on your mistakes and failures. Forgive yourself for them and then move on. Dwelling on mistakes and beating yourself up will only fill you with self-doubts.

Act "as if." On days where your confidence is running low, act as if it isn't. You've heard the phrase, "Fake it until you make it" before. Our actions, thoughts and feelings are all inextricably linked. You will be amazed how a change in perception affects our body language and behavior. Acting "as if" you are the very best coach for this drill, this practice, this team and this player will change how you feel, think and act. Try it!

COURSES: Positive Coaching: Communication

Sarah McQuade is an independent coach education consultant, owner and director of e.t.c coaching consultants and co-director with The Coach Learning Group. To learn more about accessing how-to coach skills workshops click the Coaching Skills button at www.etcoachingconsultants.com.