The Power of Coachability In Sports
February 18, 2025โข562 words
"Good players want to be coached... Great players want to be told the truth" ~ Doc Rivers
"Sometimes you will hate me because I will tell you the truth about your game. And the truth can hurt/humble you" ~ Doc Rivers
"I'm looking for activity. I put players in and take them out based on effort and defense, not making or missing shots" ~ Doc Rivers
"If you're a great defensive player, you're a great defensive player 100% of the time. You can't be a great defensive player half of the time because you didn't get the ball once or twice. That can't sidetrack you. It's got to be 'I live for my defense, and my offense I'll get. But I can't let it affect my defense. Nothing affects my defense.'" ~ Doc Rivers
As a student-athlete, your success does not only depend on your natural ability or athletic talent but also on your coachability.
Coachability has absolutely nothing to do with blindly obeying instructions; it has to do with developing the emotional toughness to get through criticism, figure out what is worthwhile, and get it done right. This is the biggest difference between a fixed and a growth mindset. If you can get to the point where you can view feedback as an instrument for development, not an attack on yourself, then you will be not just a better player, but an athlete who continues to improve.
Basketball intelligence is needed to be successful on the court. High levels of intelligence are needed to recall and comprehend the intricacy of offensive and defensive systems, such as reading a football playbook. Being able to absorb and adapt to these systems is what distinguishes excellent players from average players.
However, for some athletes, coaching is more like criticism and less of an opportunity for growth. If you've ever caught yourself getting defensive or resistant to correction, don't worry, you're not on your own. Most players have a hard time with this, particularly if they've had bad experiences with authority figures in the past, perhaps a coach who was demeaning or abusive. Trusting the process may be tricky, particularly if you view being corrected as a weakness.
But the reality is, the greatest players, both in court and in life, are not the ones who think they've already learned it all. They're the ones who know that improvement comes from learning, absorbing, and continuously enhancing.
If you're able to shift your perspective and recognize that coaching is a way to improve, your own development as an athlete will gain momentum. Every bite of criticism, from coach, teammate, or even opponent, can make you a better player. Instead of reacting with defensiveness or frustration, try to greet every criticism with a sense of curiosity.
Ultimately, being coachable is not merely a sport, it is a skill that will enrich your life overall. The ability to receive instruction, adapt to new strategies, and refine your approach will serve you in good stead not only on the field but also in the business world. Adaptability and employability are added advantages. The greatest players are not always those who work the hardest, but those that listen, learn, and continually seek to improve.