The measure of a great coach is bringing the best out of athletes. This is the first guide to motivational interviewing (MI)–the proven approach to harnessing the power of conversations to build relationships and trust–for coaches, sport psychologists, training and rehabilitation specialists, and other affiliated staff. Revealing why conventional ways of giving feedback and addressing conflict are often counterproductive, the book presents tried-and-tested methods for getting through to athletes and helping them to thrive. Leading sport psychologists and MI experts–including MI cofounder Stephen Rollnick–provide effective strategies to fire up motivation, promote ownership of personal goals, address problem behavior on and off the field, enhance performance, and improve teamwork. Included are step-by-step examples and inspiring stories from coaches at all levels. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the book’s reproducible quick-reference sheets on key MI skills.
This book is in the Applications of Motivational Interviewing series, edited by Stephen Rollnick, William R. Miller, and Theresa B. Moyers.
T.R.L. (verified owner) –
As a tennis coach who has coached beginners all the way up to USTA National Champions, this book offers unique ways of getting the most out of a player. The examples of conversational situations in the book bring clarity on ways that I can be more effective with my students in a variety of circumstances. I am looking harder at ways to affirm my players instead of using praise. This book has already changed my conversations outside of sports as well and given me insights that I would not have discovered.
William Russell (verified owner) –
The great advice you’ll find here will help your athletes (and your coaching) flourish! Recommended.
Peter J Economou (verified owner) –
This book and the rock star lineup of authors will change how we coach the 21st century athlete. So much has changed, but the principles presented in Coaching Athletes to be their Best: Motivational Interviewing in Sports have proven to be effective with different groups… and now with athletes. This is a must read if you are involved in sport!
Johnny (verified owner) –
Loved his Life As Sports book and loved this one as well. Great coach
Michael Gervais, PhD (verified owner) –
Really enjoyed this book. Well written. Thoughtful. Provided tools that can be easily applied.
C Simpson (verified owner) –
Despite having 15yrs + experience in the mental coaching field, I found this book to be incredibly useful. It’s written in an easily digestible manner but has a lot of incredible information. You can’t fail to get better as a coach if you read this book.
Percy Hoff (verified owner) –
One of the best reads ever in my coaching career
Jeffrey Anderson (verified owner) –
A TON of incredibly valuable info for those coaches who want to be the best they can be!!!
Dr G H Bradley (verified owner) –
The authors take MI from it’s basic premise to theory and demonstrate it’s flexibility and usefulness. I am an experienced coaching psychologist (not in sport) and I found the book to be highly informative and inspiring. For a serious book, the style is very accessible and the playbook section was so useful I bought a second copy for my son who is training as a fitness coach. First rate and highly recoommended.