Buddy System
Coaches should not be the only people responsible for filling emotional tanks. Partner athletes before a practice or a game, and ask them to be responsible for filling each others' tanks. When their partners make mistakes, they are responsible for helping them bounce back quickly. When their partners do something well, they are the first to praise them. At the end of the practice/game, ask your athletes to share what their teammates said or did to keep their tanks full.
Positive Charting
Coaches tend to think that they add value only by telling players what they are doing incorrectly and then correcting them. But it is equally important to point out when players are doing things correctly and to reinforce them, so players will continue to do them.
"Positive Charting" is a technique for recording positive efforts and plays made during practices or games. Your positive chart can simply list all of your players with space to note two or three of their specific positive acts.
For a worksheet to use during practice or games,
Download:
Responsible Sports Positive Charting Template
The role of filling in the chart can rotate between your assistant coaches, your bench (if players are mature enough), and even parents. Reading the completed chart to your players to start the next practice never fails to fill tanks.
Winners Circle
After the game is over, it's tempting for you to comment first. The Winners Circle has your players talk first.
Depending on how many players you coach, you can all gather in a circle, or, for example, divide into groups of offensive and defensive players. Once gathered, have each player comment on something specific that a teammate did well during the game.
As the coach, you go last, and it's your job to have something specific, truthful and positive to say about each player who has not yet been recognized. Players grow to look forward to this closing ritual, which builds a tank filler into the end of every competition.
For a quick summary on tips and techniques for Tank Filling,
Download:
Filling Players Emotional Tanks Tools
Need help getting your team's energy up at practice? Listen to Doc Rivers explain 
The Quiet Drill
Do you like these techniques? More coaching tools can be found in our Weekly Coach Tip emails. 
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