Gould et al. on Coaching Generation Z Athletes

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Abstract

The current paper intends to summarize the findings of Gould et al. (2020) article regarding the unique characteristics of generation Z athletes. The analysis revealed that the latter sportsmen usually struggle with short attention spans, interpersonal communication, resilience to difficulties, and responsibility for their decisions. On the contrary, they exhibit high digital literacy levels, the ability to work with information, and great expectations concerning their performance. Additionally, the importance of these findings for my future practice is discussed.

Introduction

Athletes who belong to the so-called generation Z possess unique qualities that distinguish them from sportspeople of other age groups. For this reason, it is necessary to develop a special approach to coaching those born after 1996, seeking to address their weaknesses and promote their strengths effectively. In the article “Coaching generation Z athletes,” Gould et al. (2020) analyze how professional coaches perceive the latter athletes and which training strategies they adopt. The authors review the most stereotypical characteristics of this age group, such as goal setting, encountering adversities, attentional span, motivation, personal responsibility, and communication (Gould et al., 2020). Their findings and insights can be of great use for future academic research and for the health and physical education professional’s practice. Therefore, the current paper intends to summarize the article’s main results and discuss the practical implications it has for my professional development.

Summary

The first characteristic of generation Z athletes that the coaches mentioned in their interviews with the researchers were goal setting. The former noted that young sportsmen nowadays tend to set short-term goals rather than long-term ones and are remarkably result-oriented. Additionally, the respondents argued that, generally, their subordinates have high expectations regarding their performance and future achievements. It is also indicated that these athletes are sensitive to criticism and generally do not have well-developed psychological mechanisms to deal with adversities. The coaches mostly explained it by the fact that those who belong to Generation Z were raised in relative comfort and did not face many difficulties during their childhood. Such a situation resulted in underdeveloped resilience to stress and adversities.

The interviews further revealed that generation Z athletes have problems with concentration. The coaches noted that their subordinates can only pay attention to something for a short period of time and are easily distracted. The respondents also maintained that the athletes that were born after 1996 are mostly motivated by extrinsic factors, including, for instance, measurable results, material benefits, and social appraisal, especially from parents, to name a few. Moreover, many coaches stated that this generation of athletes has problems with personal communication and does not possess the necessary skills to build interpersonal interaction. Yet, the respondents pinpointed that the situation is totally different in the case of online communications.

As for personal responsibility, the study revealed that the athletes were dependent on their parents or coaches in making strategic decisions concerning their lives and training, but within the set borders, they are quite diligent. The coaches noticed that one of the manifestations of such a lack of independence is their subordinates’ struggle with time management. To further understand the role that close people play in athlete development, the study examined the impact of the surrounding environment on generation Z. The respondents noted that there is usually a large network of people surrounding the sportsmen, which is associated with information overload and, thus, is considered a negative phenomenon. At the same time, it was mentioned that generally, generation Z athletes are good learners and can process and critically evaluate big portions of information. The coaches added that their subordinates have strong technology and visual learning skills as well.

How This Article Can Assist Me in Becoming an Effective Health and Physical Education Professional

As the interviews conducted by Gould et al. (2020) identified, building close relationships with one’s athletes is one of the central duties of a coach. Therefore, the first way how this article can assist me is by helping to understand the unique characteristics of young people in order to be able to build more effective communication and mutual trust. It also allowed me to become aware of the barriers, such as short attention spans and lack of responsibility, that can hinder the progress of sportsmen and should be properly addressed. Furthermore, it helped me identify the strengths that should be tailored in the training process to ensure the best performance. Finally, it provided the practical steps that I can adapt and further improve during the actual work.

Conclusion

The current paper summarizes the results of Gould et al.’s research concerning the characteristics of generation Z athletes. It was found that the latter’s weaknesses are short attention spans, low resilience, communication problems, and lack of responsibility in regard to strategic decision-making. In contrast, their strengths are high expectations concerning one’s performance, high levels of digital literacy, and the ability to process and critically analyze a large amount of information. From a practical perspective, the article helped me understand generation Z athletes better and provided guidelines on working with them.

Reference

Gould, D., Nalepa, J., & Mignano, M. (2020). Coaching Generation Z athletes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 32(1), 104-120.

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Gould et al. on Coaching Generation Z Athletes

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