From good to great: Why coachability matters in netball
Let’s talk about the concept of being coachable.
Coachability is as much about attitude as it is about ability—it’s the quality that allows netball athletes to turn potential into performance.
Coachability can be defined as the willingness and ability of a netball athlete to learn, adapt, and grow based on feedback, instruction, and experiences. It involves a combination of both mindset and behaviour. Coachable netballers demonstrate an openness to constructive criticism, an eagerness to improve, and a proactive approach to applying what they’ve learned on the court.
In essence, being coachable means:
Listening with intent: Understanding and valuing guidance from coaches.
Adapting with humility: Recognizing that there’s always room to grow, no matter how skilled you are.
Taking action with purpose: Implementing feedback to make tangible improvements. No matter how small the improvement.
So, what are the traits of a coachable netball athlete?
Open-Mindedness
They have a willingness to accept feedback without becoming defensive or making excuses.
Resilience
They use mistakes as a learning tool rather than getting discouraged AND can bounce back after receiving feedback they may not want to hear,
Self-Motivation
They take their own initiative to improve. They aren’t forced to go to training sessions or pressured to do extra work: they seek out those opportunities and genuinely want to put in the extra work.
Humility
They understand there’s always room for improvement, regardless of skill level.
Listening Skills
They pay attention to instructions/directions and make an effort to execute them.
What do we see that hinders a player’s ability to be coachable?
Resistance to feedback
Entitlement
Believing they’re too skilled to need advice or that rules don’t apply to them.
Negativity or Poor Attitude
Complaining about drills, teammates, or coaches, rather than embracing challenges.
Inconsistency in Effort
Only showing enthusiasm or focus during games, not in practice.
Parents
When a parent’s desire for ‘netball success’ exceeds their child’s own goals and general interest in extra training.
When kids are simply over training. They are doing too much. They aren’t resting. They feel a subconscious worry about disappointing their super-involved parent.
When parents make excuses or blame other teammates in front of their child. It rubs off. It’s toxic.
Why does coachability matter in netball?
Being a coachable athlete leads to faster skill development and stronger teamwork. It shows the coach that an athlete can actively listen and are willing to improve. Most netball coaches are looking for progress not perfection! We see growth as a process and believe that mistakes are all part of the learning process: regardless of what level we are coaching!
Coachability is not a trait that only applies to an athlete’s sporting life. It carries through to education and work life seamlessly. A ‘coachable’ athlete will be able to actively listen to a boss, colleague or client. They will take on professional feedback and know how to implement steps to rectify a deficit. Coachable athletes are the players every coach wants on their team! It’s a life-long skill that transcends the netball court.
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