Positive reinforcement: the coaching cue that changes everything
What you praise is what you get more of. A quick guide to catching athletes doing it right.
Great coaches aren't soft — they're specific. The difference between “good job” and “your arms stayed by your ears that time” is the difference between a kid who feels nice and a kid who knows exactly what to repeat.
Name the win
Praise the behavior, not the child. “Nice tight hollow” tells the athlete which thing to do again. Vague praise feels good for a second; specific praise builds skills.
Catch them trying
Reinforce effort and process, not just outcomes. The athlete who finally sat back on their handspring — even if they didn't land it — just did the hard part. Say so.
Keep corrections sandwiched and small
One correction at a time, wrapped in something they did well. A nervous athlete can hold exactly one cue in their head mid-skill. Pick the one that matters most and let the rest go until next rep.
Positive doesn't mean permissive. It means your athletes always know what ‘right’ looks like — because you keep showing them.
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