Confidence and Pressure
What Do I Do When My Coach Takes Me Off?
Rhema Adelaja · National Champion & 4x DUX
Keep your body language positive and stay with the team. Do not let one mistake become the next one. Once you are calm, talk to your coach after the game. Describe what happened, say how it felt and ask a question. Be kind to yourself.
The answer
- Keep your body language positive, even if it stings. Clap, cheer and stay with the plan.
- Hold on to a team-first attitude. How you handle disappointment builds lasting resilience.
- Do not let one mistake become the next. Ask what happened, what was in your control, what you learned and what the next action is.
- If you disagree with the decision, wait until you are calm and talk to your coach after the game. Say what happened, how it felt and ask a question about what to do next.
- Be kind to yourself. A substitution is about this game, not about who you are.
- Next time you are on, aim for one good play. It can change how your coach sees you.
For information only. This is general information for student-athletes, not medical, legal, financial or professional advice. Talk to a qualified professional about your own situation. Terms
Rules and amounts change. Check the official source before you act. Last checked: 2 November 2026.