| Many young soccer players come to practice or | | | | external motivation. In Sports Psychology for Coaches |
| report on game days with a high sense of internal | | | | [ it is noted "the four primary needs of athletes are to |
| motivation. However, the question is "Is it the correct | | | | have fun, feel accepted, have control, and to feel |
| motivation for the tasks at hand?" As coaches, our | | | | competent." |
| challenge is to ensure that individuals' intrinsic motivation | | | | The most common tool to meet these primary needs |
| stems from an intent corresponding with the specifics | | | | is recognition. Yet there is a danger in using recognition |
| of the team's practice or game. | | | | in that it may trivialize or diminish the purpose of |
| This is not easy because we are dealing with | | | | recognition itself. Therefore, when recognizing young |
| individuals. Our society brings young players to our | | | | players, make sure the recognition is specific, sincere, |
| doorsteps with low self-esteem, poor habits, ballooning | | | | and is targeting a particular athletic feat. And above all |
| egos, grandiose visions, etc. To make it even more | | | | else, be consistent in how you delve out the accolades. |
| complex, many of these mindsets mask deep-seeded | | | | For a recreational coach, it can be highly stimulating |
| personal issue. However, we are recreational coaches, | | | | and rewarding to see apprehensive, self-doubting, |
| and the community is our team. | | | | average youngsters transform into self-confident, |
| So we must become aware of the players who are | | | | poised, hard-working athletes. These same attributes |
| intrinsically motivated by their love of the game or | | | | will be carried by many of our young players |
| desire to compete. They play for an inner pride and | | | | throughout their lives. The book Sports Psychology for |
| work hard towards accomplishing challenging | | | | Coaches is a good source for coaches trying to |
| objectives. On the other hand, coaches must be | | | | understand the driving forces behind individual and |
| equally aware of young players who may need | | | | team motivation. |