How Can I Motivate my Athletes while Maintaining a Positive Environment?

During a recent keynote I was giving for a coaching association, a coach approached me with a familiar dilemma: "When I yell at them, or make them run for not working hard, they start working harder. So, when is it okay to use conditioning as punishment? When is it okay to yell?"

This question highlights a common misconception about athlete motivation. While yelling and conditioning may produce short-term results, they ultimately undermine intrinsic motivation. Research consistently shows that relying on extrinsic rewards and punishments—whether it's the "stick" of yelling and physical conditioning or the "carrot" of prizes and praise—increases an athlete's dependence on external motivators.

Therefore, the real question isn't "When can I yell?" but rather, "How do I build an intrinsically motivated environment?" The key lies in focusing on three core elements: Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose.

1. Autonomy:

Give your athletes a voice. In pre-season team meetings co-create the team vision and standards. In pre-season 1-1s allow them to set individual goals. A team vision statement, personal goals, and 3-5 team standards are all you need to start to  empower them and foster ownership.

2. Mastery:

Help them experience a sense of progress every day. Establish 1-2 clear improvement goals for each practice and game. By focusing on a few key areas, you can help them feel a sense of accomplishment. At the end of each session, encourage them to reflect on their progress and identify areas for continued growth.

3. Purpose:

Build strong relationships with your athletes and facilitate connections among team members. The more connected they feel to you and their teammates, the more they will feel they are contributing to something greater than themselves.

Avoid the extrinsic motivators and focus on the intrinsic motivators. Truly motivate your athletes by  giving them autonomy, helping them experience mastery, and fostering a sense of purpose through strong connections. Shifting from extrinsic control to intrinsic empowerment creates a positive environment where athletes thrive both on and off the field.