July/August 2021 - 12

is intrinsically rewarding. To do this, we can't have the
whole development model they grow up within dedicated
to spitting out compliant and controllable athletes that'll
only work hard if they get a doughnut on the way home
from the game.
This isn't to say that athletes shouldn't comply with a
coach's instructions. Obviously, that is our expectation.
But compliance shouldn't come at the expense of
curiosity or joy. Giving athletes some autonomy isn't
letting them become the coach. Not at all. But it means
setting up an environment and infusing training
methodologies with drills, games, and a culture that
gives varying levels of ownership or decision making to
the athletes!
Mastery
Improvement and progress toward a goal are inherently
satisfying. Time speeds up. Engagement in the task -
which is neither too difficult nor too easy - is easily seen
in the eyes of the athlete. She is fully immersed in the
experience and is in a state some describe as flow.
" Left to their own devices ... children seek out flow with
the inevitability of a natural law, " Pink says.
Any parent that has dropped their kid off at the park to
play with their friends has seen this idea at work. You nearly
have to drag the kids away! They naturally find the pick-up
game they want, they play for as long as they want, take a
break when they need it, and return when they are ready.
Purpose
In business, Pink argues that purely monetary motivators
lead to more disgruntled workers and less creative work
solutions. Instead, Pink argues that purpose must be a part
of the equation. It's a deep human need to have a purpose.
Isn't the same true for youth athletes? The best teams, those
that win, have a strong " why " behind them. Without this, the
task is too hard and the sacrifice is too great.
Think about the greatest sports stories you've ever
read. Whether the 1980 Men's U.S. Olympic team or New
Zealand's rugby team, the All Blacks, these teams and
their stories are littered with more than the actions in one
game or one season. It is the relationships that are built, the
agonizing decisions that are made, the grueling preparation,
and perhaps most of all, the cultures of excellence they
develop that inspire us. And all of that is grounded within a
strong purpose the athletes on these teams share.
Fostering intrinsic motivation is not easy. It takes
patience and a willingness to let the kids fail. But if we
want elite athletes, that's what it'll take. Elite players who
are willing to sacrifice on their own accord and because
they find the process itself rewarding.
Citations were made from " Drive: The Surprising Truth
About What Motivates Us " by Daniel Pink.
INNOVATIONS FOR TREATING INJURIES &
IMPROVING PERFORMANCE
Training & Conditioning's 2021 Tech Guide is your resource on the
latest innovations for your sports program.
View important information on:
Science Keeps Players Playing * Coaches Coaching * Vision & Sports Performance
Talking Tech Series * And more
Get your copy at
Training-Conditioning.com/TechGuide today!
10 JULY/AUGUST 2021
http://www.Training-Conditioning.com/TechGuide
July/August 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July/August 2021
