Are we really allowing our athletes to make mistakes?

As people, making mistakes is inevitable. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a professional we are going to make them.

But are we truly creating environments where our athletes feel allowed to make mistakes?

On your team, can an athlete make a mistake and still feel safe, supported, and connected to their teammates?

What happens after the mistake?

Do their teammates react, or do they respond? Is the player encouraged to learn from it, or do they become afraid of making the next one?

Because there is a difference between being told that mistakes are okay and actually creating an environment where an athlete feels that they are.

And for coaches, another question comes to mind:

Do you respond to every player the same way?

From your rookies to your veterans, are your expectations and reactions consistent? Or is there a difference in how you respond depending on who made the mistake?

Most importantly, have you ever asked your athletes how they experience your response?

Because the answer they give you may not be the answer you expect.

So, would you be willing to create the space to have that conversation with your athletes or your team?

Not to defend your intentions.

But to understand their experience.