In the process of player development, how we encourage young people is vitally important.  Is the positive feedback we provide commensurate with their ability or with their effort?  This is a very important question, as it determines how a player views his or her own capacity for improvement…and will go a long way in revealing how they will face harder challenges as they grow.

“If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything.  I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes.”

- John Wooden

At the end of the day, we as adults really have to remember that it’s simply kids playing a game…and it makes sense to try to see things through a kid’s eyes – not an adult’s.  As much as we want to see Champions League quality passing, it’s merely a child playing the game in front of us.  Mistakes will be made – a lot of mistakes will be made (just like the pros!), and these moments are where learning really happens.

When I was younger and learning how to ski, the grown-up instructing me noticed some hesitation and said, “Remember – if you’re not falling, you’re not learning.”  It was a gentle reminder to do a bit more, try something new, and don’t be afraid of failure.

In any activity, it’s easy to praise the skill or talent.  Instead, reward the effort!  Effort is what truly fuels improvement.  Effort inspires teammates.  Effort makes a talented player an even better player – it is a quality needed outside the playing field.  When a child’s talent is not enough to achieve success, those who are lauded for their effort will continue to seek a positive outcome (rather than give up).

Take a look at the video below.  It profiles a study by Stanford researcher Carol Dweck that highlights the importance of praising effort over talent.

In short, being told how good you are will not encourage a child to step out of their comfort zone.  Recognizing a child’s effort, however, will foster that drive for self-improvement.

“Praise for effort and progress motivates students, praise for ability ends up undermining their motivation. This is because praise for ability tells them that they always have to look smart, so they stay away from hard work and get discouraged when they make mistakes.”

- Carol Dweck