ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors explain reasons for athletes making mistakes and why coaches should treat those mistakes as part of the learning process with their athletes. Many times in sport, coaches quickly revert to punishment for mistakes, which can lead to athletes losing focus and self-confidence, feeling anxious or fearful, and actually committing further mistakes. Coaches should teach their athletes to view mistakes as part of the natural process of improving, and numerous strategies are presented within this chapter to help coaches reinforce this approach with their athletes. Clearly, mistakes are part of the process of being on a road to challenge, growth and development, and it is detrimental for athletes to view them in any other manner.
