Tips on Athletes NOT Talking to Fans During Competition

By: Micheal L. Jones Ed.D., DD, RMHC - Pasco-Hernando State College

Twitter: @TJCF_Basketball

When did talking to the fans become part of the game? This can be a distraction for athletes during competition. What are some key factors on how this can reflect low performance in competition and result in bigger issues in other competitions down the road?

DO NOTs:

1. Distractions - When talking to fans during competition, this can cause an immediate distraction amongst yourself and teammates.
2. Low Performance - Athletes can under perform due to talking to fans during the game because they are not focused on the task at had. At that moment, coachability is low.
3. Un-coachable -Athletes can become un-coachable if they continue to listen more to fans than their own coach.
4. Conflict - Talking to much to fans could potentially cause an issue where a fight could happen. This is a no no.
5. Unrecruitable - When college coaches see this, it can possibly become a red flag for recruitment.
6. Misrepresentation - Remember, you are representing your team. Do not misrepresent your team or school by talking to fans during a game. This never looks good no matter the conversation.
7. Low Character Development - Over a period of time, athletes character comes in to question if this becomes a repetitive behavior. Why? Because talking to fans can compromise your character.

Coaches, try to help give feedback to your players of the importance to stay out of the fans space. I think having fans at the game in good spirit, cheering teams on are awesome. However, once athletes make an encroachment to talking to fans during the game, they have now made a mistake that could cost them the game or there career as a student athlete.

DOs:

What are some strategies for coaches to prevent athletes from talking to fans during a game?

1. Set Boundaries - Let athletes know that fans are a separate part OF the game because fans are not IN the game.
2. Situational Scrimmage- Get consent and permission from your athletic director and administration to have selected fans in your scrimmage in the stands to rehearse how NOT to talk to fans while scrimmaging. Please make your athletes aware that this is a test or rehearsal to see if we can be discipline or not.
3. Fan Club Meeting- Have a meeting with your fan club in regards to not distracting players on the court to prevent distractions or being possible tossed during a game.
4. Consequences - Coaches, have consequences for your athletes when they are talking to fans during a game.
5. Sports Psychology - Have your players go over some focus and concentration exercises to develop thought stoppage of not talking to fans. You may want to consult with a Sports Psychology Consultant on this for some guidance.
6. Scorers Table Announcement - Notify fans before tip off by microphone to refrain from speaking to players during competition to help prevent possible distractions with fans and players
7. Implement a Team Rule - You can make a team rule in regards to not talking to fans during a game.

Athletes are going to make mistakes. However, as long as we put in remedies for prevention as coaches, we can cut back on mistakes such as talking to fans during a game.