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Give Responsible Feedback to Athletes

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by Liberty Mutual Insurance

Brought to you by the Liberty Mutual Insurance Responsible Sports program

Nobody likes being criticized. But for young wrestlers to truly grow and learn, they must be open to constructive criticism. 

Responsible Sport Parents and Coaches have a variety of useful tools to help deliver constructive criticism to their youth sports athletes!

  • Try to maintain a 5:1 Ratio that balances five specific, truthful praises for each constructive correction. 

Coaches, learn more about the 5:1 Ratio here >>>

Parents, learn more about the 5:1 Ratio here >>>

  • Make a Criticism Sandwich.  Similar to the 5:1 Ratio, provide specific, truthful praises with each suggestion for improvement.

Watch our lacrosse coach give a Criticism Sandwich >>>

  • Kid-friendly criticism pairs feedback with useable information.

See an example of Kid-friendly criticism >>>

  • Use If-Then statements to help your kids feel in control even while they’re being corrected.

Want to learn more about If-Then statements? >>>

At Liberty Mutual Insurance, we constantly look for ways to celebrate the countless acts of responsibility shown by people every day. We created Responsible Sports, powered by Positive Coaching Alliance, as part of this belief to help ensure that our kids experience the best that sports have to offer in environments that promote and display responsibility. We believe kids can learn valuable life lessons when coaches and parents come together to support winning on and off the field. Join the Responsible Sports movement!

In an effort to benefit millions of youth athletes, parents and coaches, this article is among a series created exclusively for partners in the Liberty Mutual Insurance Responsible Sports program, powered by Positive Coaching Alliance.

©2013 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Positive Coaching Alliance. All rights reserved. This material may not be distributed without express written permission. Any reproduction in whole or part by and individuals or organizations will be held liable for copyright infringement to the full extent of the law.

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