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• Use a chart to keep track of the things your player is doing right. Rather than focus on improving the skill with which they are currently struggling, focus positive attention on the things they already do correctly to build their self-confidence.
• Truthful and specific praise should be the focus, rather than telling them what to do or correcting their mistakes
• Ask permission: Can I give you some advice to improve your catching? or Would you like some help?
• When ready to progress, try a criticism sandwich (ALWAYS truthful and specific or don't use)
  1. You are really doing well with your throw
  2. try to remember to step forward with your left leg when you are throwing with your right arm
  3. I can tell you have been working on your weak arm. much better!
• If - Then approach: ex. If you box out your opponent, then you will make it easier for yourself to get the ball. This is a non-critical way to offer guidance which is phrased as a suggestion and may be received more openly by your players than corrective action - especially in front of teammates/peers.
• The buddy system - have players work with teammates and have them focus on recognizing what the teammate is doing right and positive praise. NO CRITICISM or CORRECTION. The players with weaker skills will focus on what other players are doing when the look for complements and will see the coaches advise or other successful tactics working. They may adopt these practices themselves and can have them demonstrated without the need for frustrating/embarrassing correction from the coach.

• Use a chart to keep track of the things your player is doing right. Rather than focus on improving the skill with which they are currently struggling, focus positive attention on the things they already do correctly to build their self-confidence.
• Truthful and specific praise should be the focus, rather than telling them what to do or correcting their mistakes
• Ask permission: Can I give you some advice to improve your catching? or Would you like some help?
• When ready to progress, try a criticism sandwich (ALWAYS truthful and specific or don't use)
  1. You are really doing well with your throw
  2. try to remember to step forward with your left leg when you are throwing with your right arm
  3. I can tell you have been working on your weak arm. much better!
• If - Then approach: ex. If you box out your opponent, then you will make it easier for yourself to get the ball. This is a non-critical way to offer guidance which is phrased as a suggestion and may be received more openly by your players than corrective action - especially in front of teammates/peers.
• The buddy system - have players work with teammates and have them focus on recognizing what the teammate is doing right and positive praise. NO CRITICISM or CORRECTION. The players with weaker skills will focus on what other players are doing when the look for complements and will see the coaches advise or other successful tactics working. They may adopt these practices themselves and can have them demonstrated without the need for frustrating/embarrassing correction from the coach.

There are a wealth of ideas on the Positive Coaching Alliance website and the "Talking Points" and "Momentum" newsletters you can sign up for there, as well as the NFHS coaching site.

• Use a chart to keep track of the things your player is doing right. Rather than focus on improving the skill with which they are currently struggling, focus positive attention on the things they already do correctly to build their self-confidence.
• Truthful and specific praise should be the focus, rather than telling them what to do or correcting their mistakes
• Ask permission: Can I give you some advice to improve your catching? or Would you like some help?
• When ready to progress, try a criticism sandwich (ALWAYS truthful and specific or don't use)
  1. You are really doing well with your throw
  2. try to remember to step forward with your left leg when you are throwing with your right arm
  3. I can tell you have been working on your weak arm. much better!
• If - Then approach = If you box out your opponent, you will make it easier for yourself to get the ball. This is a non-critical way to offer guidance which is phrased as a suggestion and may be received more openly by your players than corrective action - especially in front of teammates/peers.
• The buddy system - have players work with teammates and have them focus on recognizing what the teammate is doing right and positive praise. NO CRITICISM or CORRECTION. The players with weaker skills will focus on what other players are doing when the look for complements and will see the coaches advise or other successful tactics working. They may adopt these practices themselves and can have them demonstrated without the need for frustrating/embarrassing correction from the coach.

• Use a chart to keep track of the things your player is doing right. Rather than focus on improving the skill with which they are currently struggling, focus positive attention on the things they already do correctly to build their self-confidence.
• Truthful and specific praise should be the focus, rather than telling them what to do or correcting their mistakes
• Ask permission: Can I give you some advice to improve your catching? or Would you like some help?
• When ready to progress, try a criticism sandwich (ALWAYS truthful and specific or don't use)
  1. You are really doing well with your throw
  2. try to remember to step forward with your left leg when you are throwing with your right arm
  3. I can tell you have been working on your weak arm. much better!
• If - Then approach: ex. If you box out your opponent, then you will make it easier for yourself to get the ball. This is a non-critical way to offer guidance which is phrased as a suggestion and may be received more openly by your players than corrective action - especially in front of teammates/peers.
• The buddy system - have players work with teammates and have them focus on recognizing what the teammate is doing right and positive praise. NO CRITICISM or CORRECTION. The players with weaker skills will focus on what other players are doing when the look for complements and will see the coaches advise or other successful tactics working. They may adopt these practices themselves and can have them demonstrated without the need for frustrating/embarrassing correction from the coach.

• Use a chart to keep track of the things your player is doing right. Rather than focus on improving the skill with which they are currently struggling, focus positive attention on the things they already do correctly to build their self-confidence.
• Truthful and specific praise should be the focus, rather than telling them what to do or correcting their mistakes
• Ask permission: Can I give you some advice to improve your catching? or Would you like some help?
• When ready to progress, try a criticism sandwich (ALWAYS truthful and specific or don't use)
  1. You are really doing well with your throw
  2. try to remember to step forward with your left leg when you are throwing with your right arm
  3. I can tell you have been working on your weak arm. much better!
• If - Then approach = If you box out your opponent, you will make it easier for yourself to get the ball. This is a non-critical way to offer guidance which is phrased as a suggestion and may be received more openly by your players than corrective action - especially in front of teammates/peers. 4) The buddy system - have players work with teammates and have them focus on recognizing what the teammate is doing right and positive praise. NO CRITICISM or CORRECTION. The players with weaker skills will focus on what other players are doing when the look for complements and will see the coaches advise or other successful tactics working. They may adopt these practices themselves and can have them demonstrated without the need for frustrating/embarrassing correction from the coach.

• Use a chart to keep track of the things your player is doing right. Rather than focus on improving the skill with which they are currently struggling, focus positive attention on the things they already do correctly to build their self-confidence.
• Truthful and specific praise should be the focus, rather than telling them what to do or correcting their mistakes
• Ask permission: Can I give you some advice to improve your catching? or Would you like some help?
• When ready to progress, try a criticism sandwich (ALWAYS truthful and specific or don't use)
  1. You are really doing well with your throw
  2. try to remember to step forward with your left leg when you are throwing with your right arm
  3. I can tell you have been working on your weak arm. much better!
• If - Then approach = If you box out your opponent, you will make it easier for yourself to get the ball. This is a non-critical way to offer guidance which is phrased as a suggestion and may be received more openly by your players than corrective action - especially in front of teammates/peers. 
• The buddy system - have players work with teammates and have them focus on recognizing what the teammate is doing right and positive praise. NO CRITICISM or CORRECTION. The players with weaker skills will focus on what other players are doing when the look for complements and will see the coaches advise or other successful tactics working. They may adopt these practices themselves and can have them demonstrated without the need for frustrating/embarrassing correction from the coach.