What is a Coach -Article found at www.backofthenet.com
A coach can be many things to many different people. A coach is a teacher, a mentor, a role model, sometimes a friend and confidant. Most of all a coach must be positive. Below are listed traits of a positive coach.
A positive coach wants to win but understands that he/she is first and foremost an educator with the development of the athlete as the top priority. A coach understands that children go through developmental stages and uses age-appropriate coaching strategies. A coach values the long-term welfare of the athlete more than looking good as a coach. A coach avoids the trap of thinking the game is about the coach rather than for the athlete. Where winning is in conflict with the long-term benefit of the athlete, a positive coach has an unwavering commitment to what is best for the athlete.
A positive coach uses the crucible of competition as a virtual classroom. A coach seizes upon victory and defeat as teachable moments--opportunities to “build in” the athletes' self-confidence and positive character traits such as determination, courage, empathy and commitment. A coach wants to win, but even more wants to transmit lessons that will carry over into the rest of the athletes 'lives”. A coach is loyal to players and reluctant to "give up" on them, especially "at-risk" athletes who have the most to gain from participating in sports.
A positive coach encourages the athlete to develop internal motivation with minimal reliance on external punishment and rewards. A coach listens to and seeks information from the athlete to learn to better tap into their internal motivation. A coach is also internally motivated and sets an example for the athlete.
A positive coach coaches for mastery rather than victory, which is seen a by-product of the pursuit of excellence. A coach focuses on effort rather than outcome, learning rather than comparison to others. A coach recognizes that mistakes are an important and inevitable part of learning and encourages an environment in which the athlete is willing to risk making a mistake. The coach sets standards of continuous learning and improvement for the coach and the athlete. The coach encourages and inspires the athlete, whatever their level of mastery, to strive to get better without threatening them. The coach is committed to becoming the best coach they can be and continually seeks to improve their own effectiveness.
A positive coach establishes order and discipline in a positive manner. Many coaches are positive when things are going well and the athlete is winning. A positive coach works to remain positive even through losing streaks. The coach recognizes that it is often when things go wrong that a coach can have the most positive impact and teach the most important lessons. Regardless of the adversity involved, a coach refuses to demean himself or the athlete by resorting to fear, intimidation or shame. The coach always treats the athlete with respect regardless of how well they perform.
A positive coach resists an authoritarian role in which players are conditioned to please the coach. The coach involves the athlete and/or parents in determining athlete rules. The coach recognizes that communication is the lifeblood of effective relationships and works hard to establish clear and effective two-way communication with the athlete. The coach seeks to win the cooperation of the athlete through encouragement and treats them as partners working together to achieve mutual goals.
A positive coach feels an obligation to the sport they coach. A coach loves their sport and shares this love and enjoyment with the athlete. A coach feels privileged to be able to take part in their sport. A coach respects the opponent, recognizing that a worthy opponent will push the coach and the athlete to do their best. A coach understands the important role that officials play and strives to show them respect even when there is disagreement with their decisions. The coach values the rich tradition of the sport and works to honor the spirit as well as the letter of its rules. A positive coach demonstrates personal integrity and would rather lose than win by dishonoring the game. Dishonoring the game is worse than defeat.
Positive coaching should be anywhere and everywhere. It does not, and should not stop at any level. It is, without doubt, the best way to coach. Expectations grow as you move up the levels, but every level you are still teaching the game. There is no level where you, the coach, will quit teaching the game. As long as you teach, teach in a positive manner. It will produce the best athletes, and ultimately, the best results.
A coach can be many things to many different people. A coach is a teacher, a mentor, a role model, sometimes a friend and confidant. Most of all a coach must be positive. Below are listed traits of a positive coach.
- Puts Athletes first:
A positive coach wants to win but understands that he/she is first and foremost an educator with the development of the athlete as the top priority. A coach understands that children go through developmental stages and uses age-appropriate coaching strategies. A coach values the long-term welfare of the athlete more than looking good as a coach. A coach avoids the trap of thinking the game is about the coach rather than for the athlete. Where winning is in conflict with the long-term benefit of the athlete, a positive coach has an unwavering commitment to what is best for the athlete.
- ! Develops character as well as skills:
A positive coach uses the crucible of competition as a virtual classroom. A coach seizes upon victory and defeat as teachable moments--opportunities to “build in” the athletes' self-confidence and positive character traits such as determination, courage, empathy and commitment. A coach wants to win, but even more wants to transmit lessons that will carry over into the rest of the athletes 'lives”. A coach is loyal to players and reluctant to "give up" on them, especially "at-risk" athletes who have the most to gain from participating in sports.
- ! Fosters internal motivation:
A positive coach encourages the athlete to develop internal motivation with minimal reliance on external punishment and rewards. A coach listens to and seeks information from the athlete to learn to better tap into their internal motivation. A coach is also internally motivated and sets an example for the athlete.
- ! Coaches for mastery:
A positive coach coaches for mastery rather than victory, which is seen a by-product of the pursuit of excellence. A coach focuses on effort rather than outcome, learning rather than comparison to others. A coach recognizes that mistakes are an important and inevitable part of learning and encourages an environment in which the athlete is willing to risk making a mistake. The coach sets standards of continuous learning and improvement for the coach and the athlete. The coach encourages and inspires the athlete, whatever their level of mastery, to strive to get better without threatening them. The coach is committed to becoming the best coach they can be and continually seeks to improve their own effectiveness.
- ! Refuses to motivate through fear, intimidation, or shame:
A positive coach establishes order and discipline in a positive manner. Many coaches are positive when things are going well and the athlete is winning. A positive coach works to remain positive even through losing streaks. The coach recognizes that it is often when things go wrong that a coach can have the most positive impact and teach the most important lessons. Regardless of the adversity involved, a coach refuses to demean himself or the athlete by resorting to fear, intimidation or shame. The coach always treats the athlete with respect regardless of how well they perform.
- ! Creates a partnership with players:
A positive coach resists an authoritarian role in which players are conditioned to please the coach. The coach involves the athlete and/or parents in determining athlete rules. The coach recognizes that communication is the lifeblood of effective relationships and works hard to establish clear and effective two-way communication with the athlete. The coach seeks to win the cooperation of the athlete through encouragement and treats them as partners working together to achieve mutual goals.
- ! Honors the Game:
A positive coach feels an obligation to the sport they coach. A coach loves their sport and shares this love and enjoyment with the athlete. A coach feels privileged to be able to take part in their sport. A coach respects the opponent, recognizing that a worthy opponent will push the coach and the athlete to do their best. A coach understands the important role that officials play and strives to show them respect even when there is disagreement with their decisions. The coach values the rich tradition of the sport and works to honor the spirit as well as the letter of its rules. A positive coach demonstrates personal integrity and would rather lose than win by dishonoring the game. Dishonoring the game is worse than defeat.
Positive coaching should be anywhere and everywhere. It does not, and should not stop at any level. It is, without doubt, the best way to coach. Expectations grow as you move up the levels, but every level you are still teaching the game. There is no level where you, the coach, will quit teaching the game. As long as you teach, teach in a positive manner. It will produce the best athletes, and ultimately, the best results.
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