Reinforcement for experienced Coaches

Training for coaches is a relatively new concept, when I say new I mean in the last ten or fifteen years, which for sports is NEW. Prior to this time and in many cases today a coach is simply someone who at some time or another played the sport. Occasionally it is someone who volunteers because there is no one else to coach. At the youth level there are not a lot of established programs that are set up to train the coaches. However, in many states high school coaches get training and in some states they are even requiring certification.

So what is a new coach to do? How does a new or even an experienced coach improve?

Focus on these 5 points of coaching and you will be on your way to becoming a more effective coach.

1 Develop a philosophy

Develop your own coaching philosophy. This is much easier said then done. Know how you want to act and use your philosophy to guide your daily actions. This guide will let everyone, parents, players, and assistant coaches know how you will react or handle situations. These situations can relate to winning and losing, sideline behavior, attendance at practice and games, etc. . The communication of your philosophy will make you accountable, to your players, parents, assistant coaches and to yourself. A philosophy statement will usually be preceded by thinking about problems before they occur. This thought process will result in the elimination of many problems before they occur.

2 Communication

Communication is important, probably the most important aspect of coaching. The coach must learn to communicate with his or her players, parents, and assistants. Communication will take every form you can imagine. There will be verbal communication with players during practice and games. There may be newsletters or written communication to parents and league officials.

The effective coach will make sure everyone will know when and where all games and practices will take place. The coach will make sure all players and parents understand his philosophy on playing time, practice participation, behavior, and what his expectation is for the team.

The coach will give feedback to players and parents. This will go a long way in defusing any potential volatile situations. When you are proactive and bring up potential problems and work with the player or parents to solve them it will more times that not work out for the best.

3 Consistent Behavior

The coach and his staff set the emotional stage for the entire team, players and parents included. When the coaches behavior in an inappropriate manner the players and parents will soon follow their lead. That is not to say that appropriate behavior by the coaches will guarantee the same from all the players and parents. However, if the coaches have exhibited the proper behavior it will be easier for them to talk to the players and parents who have not.

Being a positive role model is one of the biggest charges of all coaches and one of the most important. New coaches may not understand this, but young players look up to coaches more then you know. Think back to when you played a sport when you were young. What do you remember? I remember some coaches that have had a big influence in my life, some good and others less then ideal.

4 Organization

We have all run across a coach that is not organized. What kind of impression did that coach leave you with. You know who they are, the coach who always seems to forget the important paperwork that has your upcoming schedule. The one who is late and does not have a practice plan. You see him all the time when you see a team where all the players are standing around. As a coach you do not want to be considered disorganized. Always pay attention to detail, keep good records, and do not let the little things slip by because you are not organized.

5 Understand the X’s and O’s.

Without a good understanding of the sport it is very difficult to be effective as a coach. You may be able to provide an atmosphere that is fun and safe for the players (younger players), however, your lack of knowledge and understanding will be a drawback. If your knowledge is not appropriate for the age group you are coaching you will have trouble with the players, just imagine the players understanding the game at a higher level then you the coach?

If you are in a position to coach a youth sports team and you do not have a good understanding of the strategies and playing of the sport you will best serve yourself and the team by being no more than an assistant.

I have just discussed 5 key points to being an effective coach. Work on these 5 points and you will be taking the first steps to becoming an outstanding coach. Once you have a good understanding of what it takes to be proficient in Developing a philosophy, communication, behavior, organization and understanding the game there will be 5 more points that will be covered in future articles. When you have successfully developed skills 6 thru 10 there will be 5 more points to learn to be an effective coach and so on. The critical point to know is that to be a truly effective coach learning how to improve never ends.