Thread by @stevemagness

Research shows that if coaches are overly critical and have a "negative appraisal" post-game, testosterone levels will drop and it will negatively impacts the next game performance.

Does this mean don't ever provide negative feedback? No.

It means after a game is a sensitive period.

If we just lost, we are primed for feeling threatened. If the person in power (coach) lights into us, that validates/amplifies the threat response.

Under threat, we take any critique or criticism personally. We see it as an attack on who we are, our competency. Especially if our self-worth is intertwined with playing the game.

So what? Before you critique, get athletes out of defensive/threat mode.

Athletes need to be in a place where they see the critique as informational, not personal.

That means giving time an space to decompress, debrief with friends/teammates (who aren't threatening), and so forth.

Once out of defense mode, then you can critique.

I like to talk about athletes and criticism/threat, but the truth is, this applies to everyone. It's a human response.

Doctors, students, bosses addressing workers.

Learn when and how to offer constructive critique. Make sure it's seen as informational, not personal.

If you want to dive further into hormones, winning and losing, I'd suggest taking a read through the thread below. I include links to research and give some thoughts on what to do about it.

If this sort of work fascinates you, consider giving a follow:

https://twitter.com/stevemagness/status/1458879289345064961