How should a coach respond to an athlete expressing anxiety over performance?

When an athlete expresses anxiety over performance, validating their feelings is a crucial response. This approach acknowledges the athlete's emotional experience, which is an important step in building trust and rapport. By recognizing their feelings, the coach can create a supportive environment where the athlete feels understood and safe to open up. This validation can help reduce the athlete's anxiety, allowing them to shift their focus back to training and performance with a more positive mindset.

Additionally, validation can encourage open communication, leading to more effective strategies for coping with anxiety. Instead of dismissing their concerns, a coach who validates these feelings can work collaboratively with the athlete to address the sources of anxiety, ultimately fostering resilience and improvement in performance. This approach emphasizes the importance of mental well-being in conjunction with physical training, leading to holistic athlete development.