At TSG, we strongly believe that an athlete’s identity dramatically impacts their behavior, thinking, and growth whether they are on the field or off the field. In this sports guide, we’ll be talking about five things that any coach has to understand while figuring out the personality of the individual they are training.
- The Influence of Personal Identity
The way athletes see themselves is known as their self-identity. Many athletes use the label “athlete” to rule their lives because they firmly believe that their performance determines their value. Although devotion to athletics is commendable, this limited identity may impede development in other domains.
As Dr. Chris Stankovich explains, “Athletes who see their self-worth as ‘athlete’ only get to that point over time.” In order to develop an all-round personality that promotes resilience and personal development, coaches should encourage athletes to pursue additional interests, such as leadership, academics, or hobbies. This will help the athletes discover a new side of their personality that further fuels the journey in their chosen sport
- Social Identity’s Effect
How the outside world—friends, family, and fans—views athletes shapes their social identity. Conversations and acknowledgment frequently center primarily on sports accomplishments, reiterating that performance is the one factor that determines their worth.
Dr. Stankovich points out, “Friends, teachers, and even parents begin to start conversations almost always around athletic achievements.” As responsible coaches, you can help athletes in discovering their value outside of their sports life by appreciating their character, leadership, humour and other attributes.
- Evolution Through Time
An athlete’s identity develops with time and is powerfully shaped by their experiences, triumphs, and setbacks in their role. Coaches must understand this complex process and motivate the players to grow and build themselves outside the game. Encouraging a wholesome atmosphere not only helps athletes to pursue a variety of interests but also helps them succeed in their sporting endeavors.
- Career Maturity and Athlete Identity
Overly devoted athletes may require assistance in preparing for life beyond sports. Exposure to interests outside of sports can enhance career maturity. As coaches, your role becomes essential in assisting athletes explore paths to learn and develop transferable abilities. Mentoring, education, and workshops can help athletes prepare for a more robust future with their sport and outside it. For example, improv acting workshops to develop their skills of thinking faster and on their feet, a skill that can aide them when they need to improvise with their game in crucial moments
- Transferable Skills
Strong athlete identities can be confining but promote positive qualities like tenacity, teamwork, and time management. These abilities apply to the workplace, school, and personal life. Athletes’ coaches should encourage them to use their strengths in all facets of their lives.This is why at TSG Academy we strongly believe that Sports is Education.
And hence, we always say that long-term success for athletes depends on having a well-rounded identity. By encouraging experimentation, self-improvement, and transferable abilities, we as coaches can enable athletes to succeed in sports and life off the field.
