Episode 7

full
Published on:

24th Feb 2025

How to Handle Conflict with Teammates or Coaches

Topic: How to Handle Conflict with Teammates or Coaches

In this episode of Confident Calm Clutch Car Ride Conversations, host Valerie Alston focuses on handling conflict with teammates and coaches, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong relationships. Valerie discusses why conflict is normal and offers two actionable pieces of advice: pausing to reflect and cool down before responding, and using empathy and perspective-taking to understand others' points of view. She provides practical steps on using 'I statements' to communicate feelings without blame. Valerie also encourages families to discuss and brainstorm strategies for resolving conflicts more calmly and respectfully. The episode wraps up with thought-provoking questions for parents and young athletes to deepen their understanding and improve their conflict resolution skills.

00:00 Introduction to Confident Calm Clutch Car Ride Conversations

00:23 Understanding Conflict in Relationships

01:20 Why Conflict is Normal and How to Manage It

02:29 Actionable Advice: Pause, Reflect, Cool Down

06:10 Actionable Advice: Empathy and Perspective Taking

09:49 Discussion Questions for Athletes and Parents

11:55 Conclusion and Additional Resources

Discussion questions:

  1. Athlete: Can you think of a time when you had a conflict with a teammate or coach? How did you handle it? Follow-up: What would you do differently next time?
  2. Parent: Have you experienced a conflict in your own life that you resolved in a productive way? What did you learn from it? Follow-up: How can you share those lessons with your child?
  3. Together: What are some strategies we can use as a family to address conflicts calmly and respectfully?
  4. Together: How can understanding someone else’s perspective help you resolve conflicts in the future?

Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.

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For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology

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About the Podcast

Car Ride Conversations
Conversation prompts for building mentally tough young athletes while you drive
Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations – the ultimate podcast for parents, coaches, and young athletes who want to unlock the secrets to mental toughness, confidence, and resilience. Whether you're on your way to practice, a big game, or just tackling the daily grind, these bite-sized episodes are designed to spark meaningful conversations to equip young athletes with actionable tools to thrive in school, sports and life while building strong relationships with their parents, one car ride at a time.

Hosted by Valerie Alston, former D1 athlete, sport psychology expert, and resilience coach, each episode dives into key topics like building self-belief, staying calm under pressure, and bouncing back from setbacks. With real-life stories, practical tips, and relatable insights, you'll discover how to support your athlete's journey while strengthening your connection along the way.

Buckle up and join us for a ride full of inspiration, growth, and the skills needed to become Confident, Calm, and Clutch!
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About your host

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Valerie Alston

Drawing from a rich background as a former D1 softball player and a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, she boasts over 15 years of experience dedicated to teaching and training Soldiers in the intricate art of mental toughness and resilience. As a distinguished author and coach, she brings a unique perspective to the realm of performance enhancement. Currently, her passion lies in empowering today's youth, leveraging her expertise to build and foster resilience through sports and mental toughness training, ensuring the next generation thrives in both their athletic pursuits and broader life challenges. With a comprehensive approach to athlete development, she extends her expertise to parents and coaches. Committed to enhancing understanding, she collaborates with them to impart valuable insights on building the mental toughness of young athletes, fostering an environment that nurtures resilience and unleashes their full potential.