How to best support wellbeing of players

In sports, whether you are coaching at grassroots level or guiding a professional team, the connection between happiness and performance is crucial.

 

While physical fitness, tactics and skills are obviously essential, a player’s wellbeing is equally important. 

Research, including work by psychologists like Barbara Fredrickson, suggests that a player’s happiness can significantly impact their performance. 

 

Your influence, as a coach, can help nurture this happiness and keep you attuned when something might be off.

Happiness in sports isn’t just about the thrill of winning; it’s about a deeper sense of wellbeing, including positive emotions, life satisfaction and a sense of purpose. 

 

Players who are happier often seem to have more resilience across different contexts, are more focused, and are capable of achieving peak performance on a more consistent basis. 

 

However, this relationship can be complex and varies from person to person.

 

Happiness can be understood through hedonic and eudaemonic wellbeing.

 

Hedonic wellbeing involves the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of discomfort. In a sporting context, this might look like the exhilaration of scoring a goal, executing a perfect play, or the satisfaction of a hard-earned victory.

 

Eudaemonic wellbeing is about finding meaning and fulfilment in what you do. It is the deeper sense of purpose that drives a player to push through tough training, work tirelessly for the team and find satisfaction in their role, even if it doesn’t always lead to personal glory.

 

Both forms of happiness are important in sports. While hedonic happiness might provide immediate energy, eudaemonic happiness sustains players through the more demanding aspects of their sport, keeping them committed over the long term.

 

Encouraging player growth and connection

Whether you are coaching youth teams, amateurs or professionals, here are some approaches to support player wellbeing:

 

Build a positive team culture
Sports are about more than just physical skill; they are also about character and camaraderie. 

 

Encouraging a culture where every player feels valued doesn’t require grand gestures. Simple actions like acknowledging effort and promoting inclusivity can significantly boost morale and team spirit.

 

Embed mental health in conversations
Normalising discussions about mental health or wellbeing within your team can help players feel more comfortable opening up. 

 

Asking open-ended questions like “How are you handling everything off the field?” shows you care about them as individuals, not just players.

 

Individualise your approach
Every player is different, with unique motivations and ways of finding joy in their sport.

 

Regular check-ins, or check-outs at the end of your sessions, help you tailor your support to meet each player’s needs.

 

Promote a balanced life
Sports can be demanding, both physically and mentally.

 

Encouraging players to pursue interests outside of their sport – whether that’s spending time with family, exploring hobbies, or resting – can prevent burnout and keep them refreshed and motivated. 

 

This can also be a great tip for coaches who are finding it hard to switch off themselves.