The measure of a great coach is bringing the best out of athletes. This is the first guide to motivational interviewing (MI)--the proven approach to harnessing the power of conversations to build relationships and trust--for coaches, sport psychologists, training and rehabilitation specialists, and other affiliated staff. Revealing why conventional ways of giving feedback and addressing conflict are often counterproductive, the book presents tried-and-tested methods for getting through to athletes and helping them to thrive. Leading sport psychologists and MI experts--including MI cofounder Stephen Rollnick--provide effective strategies to fire up motivation, promote ownership of personal goals, address problem behavior on and off the field, enhance performance, and improve teamwork. Included are step-by-step examples and inspiring stories from coaches at all levels. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the book's reproducible quick-reference sheets on key MI skills. This book is in the Applications of Motivational Interviewing series, edited by Stephen Rollnick, William R. Miller, and Theresa B. Moyers.

I. Motivational Interviewing 1. A Different Approach 2. Mindset 3. Method 4. Skills 5. Affirming 6. Rolling with Athlete Resistance to Change II. Toolbox 7. Connecting Rapidly 8. Lifting Motivation: Three Strategies 9. Setting Goals and Making Plans 10. Giving Advice and Feedback III. Around the Field 11. Teamwork 1: Developing Social Skills 12. Teamwork 2: Making Decisions as a Unit 13. Changing Behavior and Lifestyle 14. Coaching in Poor Communities, with Rob Maitra 15. Connecting and Culture Change IV. MI Playbook 1. Coaching Mastery. A Guide for Parents, Fellow Coaches, and Support Staff 2. Relationships: The Foundation of Masterful Coaching 3. Empathy: Becoming a Better Coach 4. Overview of Motivational Interviewing 5. MI Mindset 6. Learning MI 7. Useful Questions 8. Listening: Getting the Basics Right 9. Summaries 10. Teamwork 1: Improving Social Skills 11. Teamwork 2: Making Decisions as a Unit Appendix: Resources References