Acknowledge, learn and focus

As a coach developing a team culture it’s important to create rituals that help your athletes maintain focus and perform in the arena. One of the ways that I like to do this is by differentiating between mistake and flush rituals. These rituals improve performance by allowing athletes to learn, stay present and move forward.

Mistake Rituals: Embrace and Accept

Mistake rituals are essential when significant errors occur. They involve a conscious acknowledgment of the mistake, accepting its impact, and committing to work through the consequences. For example, an athlete gives away a penalty in rugby for hands in the ruck. This ritual is about owning the mistake, identifying where things went wrong and adjusting your technique to ensure that the same penalty isn’t awarded again.

Flush Rituals: Quick Release and Refocus

Flush rituals, or next focus rituals, are about swiftly moving past a moment—good or bad—and refocusing on the present. Imagine a player who misses a swing at a crucial pitch. Instead of dwelling on it, they need to "flush" the moment away, akin to the "goldfish memory" concept, and be ready for the next pitch. This quick mental reset is crucial for maintaining focus and performance.

Flush rituals also apply to positive experiences. After making a big tackle in football, a player must quickly shift focus to the new down and distance while listening to the play call and getting ready for the next play. Lingering in the success could lead to errors, like missing their assignment. A flush ritual ensures athletes remain present and adaptable.

Creating Distinctions

While both rituals address errors, they serve different purposes. Mistake rituals are about acceptance and learning, while flush rituals are about immediate refocus. Additionally, flush rituals help manage uncontrollable situations, such as a questionable call by a referee. In these moments, athletes must flush the incident and concentrate on the next play, revisiting the issue later if necessary.

By integrating these rituals into your coaching strategy, you empower your athletes to handle mistakes constructively and maintain focus under pressure. This approach not only enhances their performance but also supports their development as resilient and adaptable individuals.

Incorporate these rituals into your team's culture to foster an environment where student-athletes thrive both on and off the field.