What impact does a coach's lack of belief in an athlete's competencies have on their coaching approach?

When a coach lacks belief in an athlete's competencies, it can significantly influence their coaching approach in a couple of important ways. The first aspect is that the coach may establish a lower standard of performance for the athlete. This means they may set less ambitious goals, which can reduce the athlete's motivation and hinder their overall development. When a coach believes that an athlete may not perform well, they might not push them to reach their full potential, which can ultimately impact the athlete's confidence and skill level.

Additionally, the coach's lack of belief can lead to being less persistent in helping the athlete learn necessary skills. Coaches who question an athlete's capabilities may not invest as much effort in providing instruction, encouragement, or feedback, resulting in fewer opportunities for the athlete to improve. The combination of these two factors can create a negative reinforcement loop, where the athlete is further discouraged, leading to poorer performance and lower self-esteem. This is why both establishing a lower standard and being less persistent in skill development are key outcomes of a coach's lack of belief in an athlete's abilities.