Coachability
Coachability refers to a player's ability to accept and act on feedback from their coach to improve their performance. A coachable player is open-minded, willing to try new things, and takes constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth. In hockey, coachability is an important characteristic for players to possess because it allows them to constantly improve their skills and become better players. It also demonstrates a player's commitment to the team and their personal development. To develop coachability, players should be proactive in seeking feedback from their coach, be open to new ideas, and be willing to make changes to their game based on the advice they receive. Additionally, players can work on their communication skills, listen actively, and ask questions to clarify instructions from their coach. By being coachable, players can not only improve their performance but also show respect for their coach and demonstrate their leadership potential.
A few characteristics of coachable hockey players include:
Respecting your hockey coach and his/her ability to make you a better hockey player.
Accepting that there is always room for improvement and growth.
Acknowledgement that constructive criticism is part of hockey development.
A willingness and accountability to apply what is learned.
A burning desire to work hard and become a better hockey player!
Perhaps one of the most important ingredients in being coachable is simply having a great attitude and approach to the game. Players who come to the rink eager and willing to learn at practice are going to listen to coaches rather than rolling their eyes at them. These players are going to think about the areas of their game that needs improvement rather than brushing it off as a coach picking on them. These players are the ones who leave practice excited and feeling like they improved on a skill, rather than dwelling on the fact they aren’t perfect.
Coachable players understand that not everyone is going to get it right the first time – and the support from teammates means a lot. When teammates work hard for each other, they have more success. Coaches need to see players that understand the learning process, commit to getting better in all areas of the game and strive to become a cohesive team.
One of the biggest hallmarks of a coachable player is someone who clearly invests time before the game or practice getting ready.
Kunlun Red Star (CWHL) head coach Bob Deraney knows a coachable player when he sees one. According to him, players who want to be on the ice, learn from mistakes and approach every practice and game as a chance to improve are the players most likely to succeed.
"(A coachable player is) someone who shows up prepared, practice or game," Deraney said. "They are ready to get better and be the best they can be. They're smiling and energetic, and they look in the eye when they speak with them. They're the kind that wants to be the first one there and last to leave, and always wants to do one more. Their No. 1 priority is being a good teammate, encouraging and challenging their teammates to be the best they can be."
Having a winning attitude and mindset enhances development, fuels passion for the game and makes your teammates better. That all starts in practice, and coaches love to see players with that demeanor.
"When you make a mistake and you’re upset with yourself, don't let people know by banging your stick or shaking your head," Deraney said. "The best thing to do is own it and come back harder on the next play or shift."
The attitude that separates good hockey players from great hockey players all ties back to the idea of being coachable and striving to improve every day.
"The difference between a good player and a great player is that a good player thinks he or she is good and a great player always believes they can be better," Deraney said. “A great player is an athlete who is never satisfied.”
13 ways to be more coachable
Now that we’ve established why being coachable is critical to your development as an athlete, let’s go through the steps: 13 Ways to Become MORE Coachable:
Listen to what your coaches say, not how they say it. Easier said than done but, like any skill, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Practice “mean no offense, take no offense” when both speaking AND listening to your teammates and coaches.
Trust me: It’s NOT about you. If your coach is having an ‘off’ day, don’t take it personally. You don’t know what happened to them that day. Did they get reprimanded by the athletic director? Did they lose a big recruit? Did they have a fight with their spouse? Is their son failing math? Your coach’s bad day could be a result of any of the other 99% of what is happening in their life. So, odds are, it’s not you.
Remember ‘coach’ is only one hat they wear. Many coaches have spouses, children, families, friends, and lives outside of making sure your catered dinner is ready on the road trip. While you are important to them, remember they have lives outside of you. Respect that.
They really (REALLY) want you to be your best even if it sometimes comes out sideways. They are there to help you be successful. Trust them.
Your coaches are more stressed than you can probably imagine. Give them a break if they aren’t perfect or if their tone isn’t right in line with what you’d prefer.
Always say ‘thank you’. In fact, say it more often than you think you need to. Thank your coaches for taking you on a road trip. Thank them for making you watch film (and for editing the film so it’s not as long as it could be!). Thank them for scouting your opponent late into the night. Thank them for totally committing themselves to your improvement. Thank them for holding you to a high standard. And especially thank them during those moments when you don’t feel thankful… those are times when they’re helping you most.
Always look your coaches in the eye. Don’t hold your head down. Don’t look away. You want to be treated like an adult, so BE an adult; have confidence and class and look your coach in the eye. Doing so isn’t even for them: it’s for YOU. (Yes – this time it IS about you.)
Shocker: Your coach is human, too. They aren’t perfect (and – surprise! – neither are you). Their stresses and emotions get misplaced just like yours do. They get hurt by things you do, say, and they feel pain when you disregard them or don’t appreciate them. (See #6.)
Don’t roll your eyes. It’s immature and says more about you than the person you’re offending. (See #7.)
If you really have something to say, SAY IT. I’m big on communication. Huge on it, in fact. So, if all else fails and you just don’t get what you need from your coach, be an adult and communicate that in a mature way. Whining about something constantly, or tuning out and not committing yourself to your team, is NOT a solution. In fact, it’s the exact opposite: absolutely detrimental to you, your team, and your coach’s ability to effectively train you.
Directly ask for feedback. Your coaches have a whole roster of players to look after and might not always get around to you as quickly as you’d like. Every coach would love to have one-on-one conversations or meetings every day with every player, but that’s simply not a realistic goal. Therefore, if they don’t get to you right away, go to them and ask for their thoughts and feedback.
Be prepared. Take five minutes before every practice to release from your mind the rest of your day’s activities. Remember your goals and remember why you’re practicing. Remember that your coach has put in uncountable hours to prepare drills, runs, plays, and practices for you. So, have some respect: when you’re at practice, really, truly BE at practice.
Set up a weekly check-in with your coach in a place where both of you can chat informally about your strengths and skills that need working on. This doesn’t have to take long. Just a few minutes after practice can be a huge help in keeping you on track to your goals.