Coaches Corner
As Coaches
our first priority is on the future of each human being we coach. That future extends way beyond the arena of sports, it in fact encompasses their entire lives. Our impact on each life we coach is tremendous, and generational, COACHING IS NOT ABOUT YOU, you are nothing more than their future memories, it is about the life of the person you are coaching.
Many organizations globally and in the US are championing the efforts to develop more physical activity and awareness of child hood physical literacy. Coaching is about development, and focusing on the age specific developmentally appropriate activities is our job as coaches.
In today's society, too many kids are being left behind, as seen below in the images from The Aspen Institute:
Sports & Society Program:
Coaches are the backbone of youth sports, serving as mentors, role models and inspirations for generations of young athletes. But unlike other educators, youth sports coaches are often unpaid or underpaid volunteers, with little training or time to complete it beyond the mandated certifications in critical topics like CPR, concussions and SafeSport. Research has consistently shown that kids who play for trained coaches have a better experience. It is time to recognize coach training as critical to the youth sports experience, and to work together to make it more accessible to every coach.
Coaches are Coachable
Every great coach is coachable, that's why you are hear. you the desire to learn and become a GREAT coach. Coaching is not about winning, it's about development. Great coaches have many great traits, but the most important traits are focusing on development, the ability to adapt, the quest for more knowledge, the ability to connect to your athletes and inclusivity.
Great Coaches never stop learning. They never stop seeking out the worlds best practice and ways to connect with their athletes, and all athletes.
Here are some simple ways to help you connect and stay connected to an athlete:
- Interview the athlete, asking the athlete about goals, previous and current training as well as any other pertinent information that would be relevant to helping you coach them to their goals.
- Identify the athletes influencers (support group/care givers) and keep an open line of communication with them. Interview the support group and ask them relevant questions including what their goals are for the athlete.
- Assess the athlete before you start to offer your coaching input
- Develop a plan to achieve goals with the athlete that you can both firmly agree on. Be sure to include the support group in the decision of the plan.
- Maintain constant communication with the athletes support group throughout your coaching cycle, as they are the caregivers of the athlete and hold the most influence with the athlete.
