Replantear....

Reframing is a strategy that people can use, either on their own or in therapy, to help adjust their mindset. 

Seems simple enough. Find the positive in the negative. See the light instead of the dark, OR find the things to DO in the dark that you can't do in the light.

We, as coaches, can use this to our advanteage and disadvantage throughout a season. But working with coaches this week, a familiar pattern emerges from the summer camp season.

A coach will talk about their team with a fixture on the work ahead. "They can't pass,", "She is too slow," "They have a low volleyball I.Q.,"  "She isn't a leader," "They are too short to block," "She has a slow armswing," "She is late to everything," and on and on it goes.

So reframing the questions at hand coach, how about asking the following:

What CAN they do? What are their strentghs? Why are they at camp on the top court? What do you see in them that put them here?

We tend to spend so much time on what we want and can't have instead of what we do have in front of us. Coach, can we limit the bad passers in serve recieve with a creative rotation? Can we put the setter in a position where she can get to the ball quicker? Can we help this player grow as a leader? Can we play more in practice to help the team's volleyball I.Q?

The culture of the team isn't what you are looking for. They can get cranky with each other, they snipe and judge and can be inhospitable to one another. 

But coach, what IS good about the culture? They seem to work hard together, they love to compete. They enjoy being pushed out of their comfort zones. Can we focus on these traits and work with the others as the season progresses? 

We are surrounded by negatives all day. The news, social media, politics, sports, entertainment. It's hard to find positivity in our culture these days. It certainly isn't at one's fingertips BUT we do appreciate it. Who remembers during COVID when the Office star John Krasinski put together positive posts and stories once a week called, "Some Good News." just to offset the constant barrage of negativity streaming through our lives at that time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5pgG1M_h_U With over 19 million viewers on a YouTube post, it was clear then, as it is today, we need positivity and reframing in our lives now more than ever.

"I can't believe she just let's balls drop in front of her," "None of you talk," "We are doing lines if you make one more mistake," "We are running a lap for each missed serve this tournament." 

Coach, none of your players are trying to lose on purpose, trying to screw up, trying to make you mad or look bad. Chances are YOU are the culprit of these mistakes and misinformation. You haven't coached them well enough yet. See the mistakes for what they are. A chance to make a young person feel good about themselves, to help them succeed on THEIR terms, to help them become better players and part of a bigger mission: the team. Reframe your frustration into learning opportunties for your players AND yourself.

Reframing is a life tool, an educational tool, a coaching tool. It costs nothing but a little time, a mindset change and some patience. Give your athletes opportunities, not punsihments. See the positives and highlight them and work to repair or minimize the negatives. Find what each player can BRING to your program instead of constantly reminding yourself what they can't do for you and the team.

They are worth the time. And so are you, Coach.