adidas Releases New Documentaries with Mikaela Shiffrin, Rebeca Andrade, Aitana Bonmatí, and Anthony Edwards

In an inspiring move to highlight the significance of positive reinforcement in sports, Adidas has launched a compelling docuseries titled “You Got This.” This series features prominent athletes such as Anthony Edwards, Aitana Bonmatí, Rebeca Andrade, and Mikaela Shiffrin, showcasing the pivotal role that supportive relationships play in their journeys to success. The initiative aims to motivate coaches, parents, supporters, and teammates to foster environments that empower athletes to thrive.

The Essence of the “You Got This” Campaign

Adidas’s “You Got This” campaign is rooted in the understanding that athletes, regardless of their level, benefit immensely from positive sideline behaviors. The campaign seeks to disarm the negative pressures often associated with sports by emphasizing the importance of encouragement and support from those surrounding the athletes. This initiative is particularly timely, as recent studies have shown that four in five athletes frequently experience unhelpful behaviors from the sidelines, which can deter their participation and enjoyment in sports.

Spotlight on Featured Athletes

The docuseries delves into the personal stories of several distinguished athletes, illustrating how positive reinforcement has been instrumental in their careers:

• Anthony Edwards: The NBA sensation shares insights into his relationship with his childhood best friend, Nick Maddox. Their shared passion for music serves as a sanctuary from the external pressures of professional basketball, highlighting the importance of having a supportive confidant.
• Aitana Bonmatí: The Ballon d’Or-winning footballer reflects on her experiences with young players from her football camp, Campus Aitana. She emphasizes the value of mentorship and how nurturing guidance has shaped her approach to the game.
• Rebeca Andrade: The Brazilian gymnast discusses the unwavering support from her coaches and family, which has been crucial in her recovery from injuries and her subsequent achievements on the world stage.
• Mikaela Shiffrin: The alpine skiing champion opens up about the encouragement she receives from her team and loved ones, underscoring how their belief in her abilities fuels her determination to excel.

Unveiling the ‘Sideline Effect’

Central to the campaign is the concept of the ‘Sideline Effect,’ which examines how behaviors from coaches, parents, supporters, and teammates can significantly impact an athlete’s experience. Adidas’s global study revealed that many athletes encounter negative sideline behaviors, such as excessive instruction during gameplay and an overemphasis on outcomes rather than effort. These actions can inadvertently add pressure and diminish an athlete’s confidence.

Introducing the ‘Sideline Essentials’

In response to these findings, Adidas has developed the ‘Sideline Essentials,’ a set of guidelines designed to promote positive support behaviors:

1. Stand by Their Side: Instead of distancing oneself when an athlete is underperforming, offering proximity and encouragement can help them feel supported and regain focus.
2. Let Players Play: Avoid micromanaging during gameplay. Allowing athletes the freedom to make decisions fosters autonomy and confidence.
3. Game Plan Gestures: Use predetermined, non-verbal cues to remind athletes of strategies without adding verbal pressure.
4. Focus on the Effort: Celebrate the hard work and dedication an athlete displays, regardless of the outcome, to reinforce their intrinsic motivation.
5. Be the Support Act: Reserve immediate post-game analysis. Instead, offer words of encouragement and highlight the positives, saving constructive feedback for a later time.

These principles are endorsed by renowned figures in the sports world, including coaching icon Jürgen Klopp, who emphasizes the transformative power of positive reinforcement.

The Broader Impact of Positive Reinforcement

Behavioral scientists associated with the campaign project that adopting even one of the ‘Sideline Essentials’ can encourage up to 20 million more athletes to engage in sports regularly. This statistic underscores the profound influence that supportive behaviors can have on an athlete’s decision to continue participating in sports.

Adidas’s Commitment to Grassroots Initiatives

Beyond the docuseries, Adidas is actively working to implement these positive support behaviors at the grassroots level. The brand is collaborating with longstanding partners and programs, such as the Breaking Barriers program across Europe, the Adidas Football Collective, and With Women We Run. These initiatives aim to support grassroots athletes and promote equality in sports worldwide.

Conclusion

Adidas’s “You Got This” docuseries serves as a poignant reminder of the critical role that positive reinforcement plays in an athlete’s journey. By sharing the personal stories of esteemed athletes and providing actionable guidelines through the ‘Sideline Essentials,’ the campaign not only sheds light on the challenges athletes face but also offers tangible solutions to create more supportive sporting environments. As the sports community embraces these principles, the hope is that more athletes will feel empowered to pursue their passions with confidence and resilience.