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Generation Y and the athletes of the critical strategies to create winning results
Today's sports programs are dominated by Generation Y ("Generation Y") athletes. We are almost at the end of Generation X (Generation X) period of athlete. With the change of generations, no change in the shape of the athletes best coach, because as you may have noticed, Generation Y is different from Gen X.
Let's take a look at the generations that begin and end. In essence the younger athletes are today's Gen X 29 years (in 2009). For most sports is to go in recent years being a competitive athlete (although there are always exceptions). Certainly, no college athletes this old! That's why athletes of Generation Y, who are aged between 28 and 19 years to be a primary objective for many coaches. (Gen Y Athletes born between 1981 and 2000.)
Each generation is determined the environment they grew up in. They are shaped by the technologies they are exposed, the ideals of their culture and values and beliefs of their parents and behaviors later that these values and beliefs create.
Some of the major influences on Generation Y are, and have been:
- The total dependency and personal computers and sophisticated social networking technologies and flexible working arrangements.
- The use of mobile phones as a normal part of life and a way to communicate.
- Acceptance of the Internet as their own technology and not something that was introduced during his formative years as it was for generation X or in his later years for Baby Boomers.
- Economic prosperity (so far) with parents who have so much work and therefore must be able to provide their children what they want, when they want. Until now, Generation Y has not seen any slowdown.
- With both parents working, this meant that Gen Y has become much more dependent on friends and social network for advice, guidance and deep relationships.
Based on these influences, some common ways to describe Generation Y are:
- Very confident: Parents were financial and the times you grew up in some of the most financially profitable, so far, of course.
- Knowing the technology: The technology is not only part of his life, is integral to everything they do. They grew up with computers in schools and various forms of electronic networks and communication.
- Very While networking: how to stay in touch socially with a wide diversity of people is important to them. This is the result of electronic networks online. This generation has grown to diversity and diversity even notice, is a part of them.
- They are independent thinkers and have a great responsibility given to them. Many had both parents working (financial security) and as such made many decisions with consultation with their peer group that probably in the same position. You may have noticed that they do not like being told to do by authority figures …
- They love the variety in their environment. If the change is not happening then things get very boring. They are comfortable with change and extremely fast-paced environment.
- They also expect quick results. Quick feedback and immediate attention to your individual needs.
- They must be treated as individuals and trained as such. If not, simply go to the next thing.
With these characteristics in mind, here are some ways to train and attract this generation to the sport and retain:
- One of the issues important to resolve is to make sport a social outlet (this factor in their programs) that can train and then socialize and make friends.
- Use the improved technology to measure and track their results. It also would give them access to this information through some type of online site that can be personalized home network and share with others as a bonus.
- Give them a chance to create some of their programs and incorporate your ideas in their training programs. Just be sure to cover on the basics of the physiological components and then let them add their flavor to make it more interesting.
- Give them the opportunity to meet new people, travel to different places and make a positive contribution to others. This generation may be very interested in questions social and create a sense of meaning in his life. It is not just about money and success.
Appreciating any generation is about being able to to empathize with their perspective on life. Because they grow in a potentially different, you can be sure to have a different world view that it is possible that based on their own generational environment. Successful coaches will work with this generation to understand their point of view and adjust your coaching style and method to suit their specific drivers and motivators.
Boden Hanson is a four time Olympic athlete and triple Olympic medalist. It is one of Australia's most dynamic speakers on sport and business results. Athlete evaluations founded to help coaches and athletes to improve their performance by better understanding of themselves and others. He can be contacted through http://www.athleteassessments.com or bo.hanson @ athleteassessments.com
About the Author
Boden Hanson is a four time Olympian and Triple Olympic Medalist. He is one of Australia’s most dynamic speakers on sport and business performance. He founded Athlete Assessments to assist coaches and athletes to improve their results through better understanding of themselves and others. He can be contacted through http://www.athleteassessments.com or bo.hanson@athleteassessments.com
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