Chapter one is mainly about how coaching a certain way can have a positive impact on the team. It was given an example of the “4 C’s” which is competence, confidence, connection, and character. When teaching competence, a coach would need to develop the technical, tactical and physical skills of a player. The coach will also need to teach confidence to the players so that can play calm and not choke in the game. Connection with players are also important because it said that it is key to create a successful team. Finally, good character in and out of the water must be taught to create a strong team. Another subject was coaches knowledge. A successful coach must have interpersonal knowledge of his players. They would also need to have knowledge of themselves. Finally knowledge of the game is also necessary. A pyramid of the Athlete-centered-approach was also elaborated in the reading. The main concept of this pyramid is to get a good relationship with the players and then be able to teach the concepts of the game to where they fully understand. Positive environments on the team are also highlighted to be an importance for success. Finally, being able to assign assistant coaches roles to develop the team is another characteristic of what makes a very successful coach. 

The first thing a coach must do is understand what a player might be going through in the game and what they may be thinking. Confidence was one of the key components mentioned about the mental game. A coach must understand that confidence can fluctuate throughout a game depending on what is going on. They must also help their players to have a “short term memory” of what happened so they don’t get down or too upbeat. This will allow for the best possible gameplay. Another key thing mentioned was being focused. This is important so one can anticipate what is going to happen. Another thing that is necessary is players must use positive affirmations instead of saying negative things because it will get in the way of their gameplay. Players must also instruct themselves on what to do in certain situations so they are doing things exactly how they practiced them. Visualizing and emulating the energy and intensity in practice is something that also must be done. This is because it can help players to become familiar with certain atmospheres. Emotion can be positive or negative in a game. Coaches must set up ways for players to control their emotions so they can continue to play without it affecting their game. One feeling that can go either way is anxiousness. This can either promote good or bad gameplay depending on if they’re able to control these nerves from taking over. The growth mindset is more necessary over the fixed mindset. A fixed mindset is focusing on the little errors while a growth mindset is when you can take those risks and reflect on them if they go poorly. Journaling can help promote this mindset. Finally imagery and visualizations are key to success. This is because after seeing this visualization so many times, your body will be more relaxed when you actually are in that place you visualized. This is because the familiarity helps promote relaxation throughout your body.