If you've been dreaming of playing a college sport  your whole life, you sometimes might forget the struggles that come along with being a top notch college athlete. For example, one of the issues you may face is dealing with a coach who has a specific way of thinking that you are not accustomed to. So what happens when you start playing for a coach who implements training programs that you don't agree with? Well, today we have set out a few ideas of what you can do when you disagree on certain aspects of your coaches playing or practice style.

Related: 6 Ways to Conquer your Summer Fitness Packet

Keep it in Perspective

Remember that you are a part of your coach's team and they hand-picked you to be there. I know it may seem tough to adjust to certain dynamics and really tune in to your new coach's philosophy, but they hopefully prepared you by setting out what it would be like to play for them during the recruiting process. Even if they didn't, keep an open mind and remember that your coach should be doing what's best for you as a player and team member that is trying to succeed at a higher level. If you don't agree with them, first try by giving their opinions a chance and see what can come out of it, you may be delighted to learn that their approach can teach you a thing or two that you otherwise wouldn't have learned!

Communicate

Talk to your coach. If you see something that can be improved, don't be afraid to give your coach feedback that you and other players may feel when training under them. Nobody is perfect and your coach will hopefully welcome constructive criticism if there are enough people who feel the same way. Now, this may not always be the case and coaches can surely react badly if you do not approach the situation the right way. Remember to be respectful and explain specific reasons why certain parts of their training or techniques would benefit the whole team in a way that they might not currently. Suggesting specific reasons why and proposing reasonable alternatives can boost your credibility and show your coach that you've thought things through as well. 

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

Be Flexible!

Adjust certain training plans or workouts to fit your availability or accommodations. Over summer especially, not everyone will have the same access to equipment or facilities that your coaches plan may require. If this happens to you and you want to slightly change the workout you are given, it's not the end of the world! It's ok to make modifications to certain exercises or training packets, as long as you are completing the work and getting the fitness/practice in. Most coaches will not punish you for not following every single step in their routine, but rather they just want you to hone your skills and make sure you are on top of your skills when it comes time to perform. Making adjustments on your own can be a great way to still get work done even if a coaches training plan is not right for you.

Overall, do not panic if at first you are not open to change or your coach suggests something you may not agree with. Many times you will be pleasantly surprised by what your coach can teach you in their way of doing things. Also, if worse comes to worse, you can always modify the plans or packets coaches give you to best suit your schedule and training capabilities. Although it may seem like something that could cause unnecessary drama, workinging through these types of issues with your coach will only improve your experience with them.

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* Originally published on July 11, 2022, by Sarah Borer