It happened again three times this week. I listened as riders shared their story of being verbally abused or shamed by their trainers. While some trainers ride that line between being demanding and tipping over the edge into abuse, some have clearly jumped off the cliff. I admit that my sample is skewed by the nature of the work I do. I know and trust that there are many, many instructors (perhaps the majority) that treat their students with kindness and respect. Yet, there remains in the culture of the equestrian world a harshness or hardness that is seen by some to be “just what {their students} need” but often has the opposite effect, destroying a rider’s confidence and joy.
I have been a psychologist and psychotherapist for over 30 years. I have worked as a sport psychologist with equestrians for over 20 years. I have said it before and I will say it again, I don’t know of any study that has shown shaming or verbal abuse to be an effective coaching strategy. Worried that I might have missed something, I did a little research and here is what I found.
Top 15 research supported coaching behaviors related to enhanced performance:
Providing Clear Feedback: Giving specific, actionable feedback helps athletes understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
Setting Clear Goals: Establishing specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to guide performance and development.
Building Trust and Rapport: Creating a positive and supportive relationship with athletes to foster a trusting environment.
Effective Communication: Using clear, concise, and open communication to ensure athletes understand instructions and expectations.
Motivational Techniques: Utilizing methods to inspire and motivate athletes, such as positive reinforcement, encouragement, and recognizing achievements.
Technical and Tactical Instruction: Providing detailed instruction on techniques and strategies to improve performance.
Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing both the coach’s and athletes’ emotions to maintain a positive training environment.
Adaptability: Being flexible and able to adjust coaching methods to fit the needs and abilities of individual athletes.
Encouraging Self-Reflection: Promoting self-assessment and reflection to help athletes understand their own performance and develop self-improvement strategies.
Developing Autonomy: Encouraging athletes to take ownership of their training and decision-making processes.
Creating a Positive Learning Environment: Fostering an environment that encourages learning, creativity, and risk-taking without fear of failure.
Managing Stress and Pressure: Teaching athletes techniques to cope with stress and pressure, both in training and competition.
Attention to Individual Needs: Recognizing and addressing the unique needs and circumstances of each athlete.
Promoting Team Cohesion: Building a sense of unity and collaboration among team members.
Continuous Learning and Development: Committing to ongoing education and professional development to stay updated with the latest coaching techniques and sports science.
On a personal note, listening to these stories is the most difficult part of my job. It is difficult because I know how easily it could be different for coaches and students alike. I have always felt that the best ways to change culture is through connection, living my values and building positive relationships with like minded people. If you are struggling as a student or a coach we want to help you find a positive path forward. ~ Paul
It happened again three times this week. I listened as riders shared their story of being verbally abused or shamed by their trainers. While some trainers ride that line between being demanding and tipping over the edge into abuse, some have clearly jumped off the cliff. I admit that my sample is skewed by the nature of the work I do. I know and trust that there are many, many instructors (perhaps the majority) that treat their students with kindness and respect. Yet, there remains in the culture of the equestrian world a harshness or hardness that is seen by some to be “just what {their students} need” but often has the opposite effect, destroying a rider’s confidence and joy.
I have been a psychologist and psychotherapist for over 30 years. I have worked as a sport psychologist with equestrians for over 20 years. I have said it before and I will say it again, I don’t know of any study that has shown shaming or verbal abuse to be an effective coaching strategy. Worried that I might have missed something, I did a little research and here is what I found.
Top 15 research supported coaching behaviors related to enhanced performance:
Providing Clear Feedback: Giving specific, actionable feedback helps athletes understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
Setting Clear Goals: Establishing specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to guide performance and development.
Building Trust and Rapport: Creating a positive and supportive relationship with athletes to foster a trusting environment.
Effective Communication: Using clear, concise, and open communication to ensure athletes understand instructions and expectations.
Motivational Techniques: Utilizing methods to inspire and motivate athletes, such as positive reinforcement, encouragement, and recognizing achievements.
Technical and Tactical Instruction: Providing detailed instruction on techniques and strategies to improve performance.
Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing both the coach’s and athletes’ emotions to maintain a positive training environment.
Adaptability: Being flexible and able to adjust coaching methods to fit the needs and abilities of individual athletes.
Encouraging Self-Reflection: Promoting self-assessment and reflection to help athletes understand their own performance and develop self-improvement strategies.
Developing Autonomy: Encouraging athletes to take ownership of their training and decision-making processes.
Creating a Positive Learning Environment: Fostering an environment that encourages learning, creativity, and risk-taking without fear of failure.
Managing Stress and Pressure: Teaching athletes techniques to cope with stress and pressure, both in training and competition.
Attention to Individual Needs: Recognizing and addressing the unique needs and circumstances of each athlete.
Promoting Team Cohesion: Building a sense of unity and collaboration among team members.
Continuous Learning and Development: Committing to ongoing education and professional development to stay updated with the latest coaching techniques and sports science.
On a personal note, listening to these stories is the most difficult part of my job. It is difficult because I know how easily it could be different for coaches and students alike. I have always felt that the best ways to change culture is through connection, living my values and building positive relationships with like minded people. If you are struggling as a student or a coach we want to help you find a positive path forward. ~ Paul
