Successful coaches care about their athletes as human beings first, and then as athletic performers. This includes helping them with their personal issues and problems and having an open-door policy.

Successful coaches know that when they get angry they give away their power. They do not yell and get in the faces of their athletes.

Successful coaches are aware that what takes place in their own personal lives affects how they interact with their teams.

Successful coaches encourage their athletes not to “withhold” their feelings and emotions since withholding is a form of lying that demeans them and lowers their self-esteem. As their self-esteem is lowered they take fewer risks in interpersonal relationships and create psychological baggage for themselves that affects their ability to focus and process information.

Successful coaches hold weekly team meetings and encourage, when necessary, that their players sometimes participate in “players only” meetings so they will feel free to discuss team related problems and issues in a support group environment, issues they may not feel comfortable discussing with their coach present.

Successful coaches know they cannot motivate their players but can create a support group environment allowing their players to discuss their personal issues and problems; and when they do, they will then feel better about themselves and will automatically become more motivated.

Successful coaches are constantly aware of their players’ eye contact since they realize that poor eye contact is an indication that players are withholding.

Successful coaches encourage their players to use visualization techniques, including the use of a meaningful music track to accompany their visualization process.

Successful coaches encourage their players to “excel for a higher order” by helping others less fortunate than themselves.

Successful coaches are those who tap into their athletes’ belief systems, realizing that the athlete’s beliefs affect performance, not the coaches.