Sometimes coaches are so intent that the only way to help an athlete improve, is to provide constructive criticism of the competitor’s technique.  Effective coaches, however, will also understand how emotion influences an athlete’s performance.  Often just the right words or look or wink, can have a greater impact than any explanation of what an athlete should do to improve his skill.

Dad was a coach who often found the means to tap into emotions to take an athlete from utter despair to exciting triumph, from choking to finding calm and focus.  He was a coach who could help an athlete get “into the zone”.   He understood that sports was as much about emotions as it was ...