• Needs improvement - Although I have a method of communicating with my team, some athletes repeatedly do not receive my messages or interpret them correctly. I am probably not very clear or concise in my communication.

• Acceptable - I have a method of communicate with my team and I put effort into responding in a concise, specific, and timely manner.

• Exceptional - I have multiple methods of communicating with my team and I have developed good written, verbal, and nonverbal communication. I have put effort into responding in a concise, specific, and timely manner. I also possess good active listening skills.

Check out these resources if you are interested in improving coaching practice:

Good Communication Skills are Key to Successful Coaching Effective Communication Communicating as a Coach Effective Communication in Critical Sport Moments Communicating with Athletes: Timing is Everything

• Needs improvement - I have not really thought about how I give and receive feedback in my coaching practice.

• Acceptable - I try to give good feedback and communicate to my team the expectation that athletes are to provide feedback. I create intentional time in practice as opportunities for athletes to communicate with me.

• Exceptional - I communicate with my team the expectation that athletes are to provide feedback. I create intentional time in practice or reflection cards as opportunities for athletes to communicate with me. Additionally, I model how to give productive feedback by giving productive feedback to athletes individually about their playing and behavior.

Check out these resources if you are interested in improving coaching practice:

8 Easy Ways to Give Appreciative Feedback

Positive Approaches to Providing Feedback The Joy of Getting Feedback How an Ambitious Coach Gives Feedback

Description: Cultural differences related to race, ethnicity, culture, religion, etc. exist within any sport program. Understanding athletes’ cultural background aids in understanding the athlete as a whole. Norms from different cultures may influence an athlete’s interactions, dynamics, and training.

• Needs improvement - I do not know how to go about understanding my athlete's cultural backgrounds. In turn, I am not aware of the cultural norms and practices that my athletes could be participating in.

• Acceptable - I put effort into understanding my athlete's cultural backgrounds. In turn, I have learned about the cultural norms and practices that my athletes could be participating in.

• Exceptional - I put effort into understanding my athlete's cultural backgrounds. In turn, I have learned about the cultural norms and practices that my athletes could be participating in. Additionally, I have had conversations with all of my athletes to find out how I can best work with them to address their concerns and accommodate their needs on the sport team.

Check out these resources if you are interested in improving coaching practice:

The Importance of Cultural Awareness Tips for Coaching in a Culturally Responsive Way Beyond Cultural Competence

It Takes Two: The Importance of the Coach-Athlete Relationship

Building a Positive Coach-Athlete Relationship

Description: Stakeholders are people who are affected by the team. Examples of stakeholders are the athletes and their family members, the referees, sport administrators, and fans.

• Needs improvement - Although I have a set vision for my program, not all of the stakeholders know what the vision is.

• Acceptable - I have a set vision for my program. I have deliberately communicated my vision with the stakeholders so that they fully understand what the team vision is.

• Exceptional - I have a set vision for my program. I have deliberately communicated my vision with the stakeholders so that they fully understand what the team vision is. Additionally, I have communicated with my stakeholders ways to act upon the set vision.

Check out these resources if you are interested in improving coaching practice:

Leading with Vision Building a Team Culture for Athletic Success Coaching the Parents: 5 strategies for Creating Positive Coach-Parent Relationship

Eight Kinds of Culture

Why the Secret to Success is Setting the Right Goals