Why do coaches yell

Coaches and referees are the adults out there. Neither group should assume that the other one is an incompetent, malevolent or arrogant power tripper, unless events show that to be true. Even though the coach is really not criticizing the referee, the referee still has to take action. Try standing side-by-side with the coach and find out what the issue really is.

If the behavior continues, an early caution will give you a lot of information and separate the purely manipulative coach who will most likely back down, from those who really have lost it.

Once you know that, punative action will be your next course of action should the behavior remain a problem. Note: This article is archival in nature. Rules, interpretations, mechanics, philosophies and other information may or may not be correct for the current year. The article is made available for educational use by individuals.

Sign in. Forgot your password? Get help. A coach who yells all the time risks not being able to reach a perhaps big percentage of kids. And when athletes have choices, they tend to go towards coaches who build them up rather than yell. So yelling can be self-defeating in this respect.

I understand that some rare individuals are able to be successful with a yelling style of coaching. These individuals can somehow convey to their athletes that they care about them so the yelling isn't a problem for them. But most of the yellers I have seen are not able to do this and their athletes, and their record in terms of the scoreboard, suffer.

Great coaches have a big toolbox of motivational techniques. They don't rely on a single approach. As the saying goes, if all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. If you are accustomed to yelling, you are more likely to yell even when the problem requires a different approach.

In general, great coaches use yelling sparingly. Related Stories. Stay connected. For Coaches. For Athletes. They need alternatives to yellings the same old thing. As mentioned, yelling can be beneficial for particular athletes. But not every athlete responds well to yelling and screaming. What can coaches do as an alternative when they feel the decibels about to increase?

Instead of yelling, sulking, walking away or mumbling something under your breath, call a time out, make a substitution or find a way to speak to your player using direct, constructive language they can absorb. This will also teach your athlete how to talk to you if they have a problem or concern. The same approach should be used when talking to referees and officials.

Be specific with what you are upset about when asking a question to better understand their call. They are likely not going to change their position just because you yelled in their face. Be calm, say your opinion in a controlled manner and be respectful. If you know a certain player does one thing particularly well and the game requires their skill set at the time, make it clear this is all you want them to do. Expect the player to perform and they will probably give you more as they are confident and believe in themselves.

You teach your athletes every practice, whether they are in the youth or professional level, to be mentally strong. You, as the coach, have to learn to be mentally strong yourself and check in with your own feelings.

If you need to talk to somebody like a sports psychologist, great. If you need a moment of self-reflection, make time for it. Whether they are 5, 25 or 55 years old. But does it make the constant yelling right? Every player needs recognition for the things they are doing right. They need to know that the hours upon hours of practice they put in are noted and they are doing a good job, regardless of how many championships they have won and lost or how old they are.

Most players at this elite level know what they did wrong if their actions forced a mistake. They are adults with excellent insight into the game, the rules and the strategies of the team. How much value does yelling add in this situation. Yell when absolutely necessary to fire up your team, even I agree with this at times, but if you have personal advice for an athlete, pull them aside and explain your perspective.

Do you think a great coach someone who yells all the time? Do you think this because of what you see on TV from high paid coaches? Or is a good coach one who sits quickly on the bench, relying on their message in time outs and one on one situations? Every athlete will be attracted to a certain kind of coach.