Role clarification is one of the most powerful tools a coach can use to help athletes build confidence in both themselves and their teammates. A coach can significantly improve a team’s effectiveness by ensuring that each athlete understands and accepts their role. When athletes feel like they’re an important part of the team’s success, they are more motivated to put in the effort. The key to accepting a role is first understanding it. Athletes need to be clear on what is expected of them—whether it’s behaviors, responsibilities, or performance standards—and they also need to understand the consequences of fulfilling, or not fulfilling, their role.
A great way to ensure athletes understand their role is to use this role clarification exercise:
- Have each athlete write down what they think their specific role is.
- Have each athlete name the roles they believe the rest of the team has.
- Have the coaching staff write down every player’s role.
It’s essential that these three perspectives align. If they don’t, coaches need to sit down with their athletes and clarify expectations. Understanding and accepting one’s role is crucial to building confidence, achieving success, and fostering team cohesion. When athletes know they play an important part in the team’s success, it instills pride. It’s vital for athletes to feel that their participation matters. Every player has an important role to play, and as a coach, it’s imperative that your actions and words reflect this belief. Empowering non-starters through role definition can increase their satisfaction with the team and enhance their contributions, both to the team’s success and their own athletic development.
Coach Sue Enquist from UCLA often emphasized the importance of focusing on non-starters. Starters put in the work and are rewarded by seeing their names on the starting lineup, while non-starters put in just as much effort but rarely get that same recognition. It’s crucial to make it clear that non-starters still contribute in meaningful ways to the team.
Role clarification is a key strategy for avoiding conflict and fostering a positive team culture where both team cohesion and confidence can thrive.
Quote of the day:
“Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.”
One Game, One Love. 