The Roles of a Sports Coach www.playingforthefuture.co.uk 1

Sports Coaching Sports coaches are vital to the success of a number of programmes across a range of sports They are at the heart of participation and performer development www.playingforthefuture.co.uk 2

Sports Coach Definition “ A sports coach is someone who assists the learning and development of another person or team of people in order to improve their performance in a sport, and who supports the personal development of individuals using sport as a vehicle for change and development”

Coaching – Art or Science? To support the coach there is a wealth of scientific information based on research conducted with athletes Information is available to support the coach and athlete in all areas of training and development including: Nutrition Physiology Medicine Biomechanics Psychology

Coaching – Art or Science? The art of coaching comes when the coach has to: Convert it into This analysis process relies heavily on the coach's experience and knowledge of the event/sport and the athlete concerned Analyse the scientific data Coaching and training programs to help develop the athlete

Coaching – Art or Science? By understanding the science, which is the foundation of training, a well designed training program can be developed that will help an athlete reach their full potential The art is understanding the science and then applying it www.playingforthefuture.co.uk

The Role of the Coach Effective coaches tend to find new ways of improving existing practices or theories Some adapt the way in which they practise, while others deal with how to play specific strategies in differing situations Other coaches integrate new developments or technologies to improve performance www.playingforthefuture.co.uk 7

Who assesses the coach? During the course of a season various people make their own judgements of a coach Athletes/players Parents Club members Employers Sponsors Board of directors Owners of clubs Supporters www.playingforthefuture.co.uk 8

tests to monitor training The coach needs to be able to: Assist athletes to prepare training programs Use evaluation tests to monitor training progress and predict performance Communicate effectively with athletes Assist athletes to develop new skills Therefore, you can see that it is a very difficult task and requires a very special person .

Characteristics of “a good coach” More often than not, when someone enquires about a coach, one of the first questions is: “Is he/she a good coach?” What characteristics describe “a good coach?” Patience Organised Knowledgeable Experienced Sense of Humour Good Communicator Motivator Innovative Listener Good Social Skills Interesting

Understanding the Coaching Role Coaching is not just about improving the physical performance of a player In taking on the role of the coach you must accept that the development of the player as a “whole” person is as important as the player’s success in sport As a coach you can have considerable impact on the development and lives of your players

The role of the coach is wide-ranging and varied The role of the coach is wide-ranging and varied. At times you may be asked to be a person of many parts! Taxi-driver! Counsellor Go-between Manager Disciplinarian Motivator Friend Trainer Fundraiser Teacher Leader Sports Coach

The Roles of a Sports Coach Innovator Role Model Roles of an Effective Sports Coach Friend Educator Manager Trainer

Innovator Ability to think through problems – use knowledge and experience to come up with new ideas and approaches Makes training fun/effective Maintains participants interest & involvement Effective coaches to be brave enough to try new things in order to get different results Access to and use of latest scientific and technical knowledge very important www.playingforthefuture.co.uk 14

Friend Coaches and performers share both positive and negative experiences Coach may need to be there if things go wrong Also needs to be there to keep feet on the ground! Management of coaching environment important – friendly and respectful www.playingforthefuture.co.uk 15

Manager Can relate to the management of a number of different aspects of coaching: Introducing new players/ off-loading players Team selections Administrative tasks Manager Training programmes Managing/organising team/teams of people Coaching sessions

Trainer Related to ensuring that athletes are able to meet the physical demands of sport Plan and run training programmes to develop physical and psychological capabilities of players Clear understanding of the components of fitness

Educator and Instructor The differences between the above is sometimes hard to identify Teaching implies a transfer of learning through: Demonstration Modelling Instruction www.playingforthefuture.co.uk 18

Educator Coaches also teach emotional skills Young learners can be very impressionable Good coaches will be aware that people learn in different ways – process of adaptation www.playingforthefuture.co.uk

Role Model In almost all situations players will look at their coach as a source of inspiration and knowledge Children often imitate role models mannerisms Vital therefore that coaching is safe and responsible, and that coaches behaviour is considered good practice www.playingforthefuture.co.uk 20

Role Model The coach can influence player development in a number of ways: Social Sport offers codes of acceptable behaviour, teamwork, cooperation, fair play Personal Life skills – self-esteem, manage personal matters, the development of a value system www.playingforthefuture.co.uk 21

Role Model Psychological Health www.playingforthefuture.co.uk Coaches can create environments that help performers control emotion and develop personal identities Health Designing sessions to include sufficient physical exercise, good health and health habits can be established www.playingforthefuture.co.uk

Role Models - Perfect or Poor?

Summary In relation to sports, the role of the coach is to create the right conditions for learning to happen and to find ways of motivating the athletes Most athletes are highly motivated and therefore the task is to maintain that motivation and to generate excitement and enthusiasm www.playingforthefuture.co.uk

Summary A sports coach is someone who works with people to develop their understanding and ability in a sport and to help develop them as people A coach has many roles to play: educator, trainer manager, innovator, friend, role model These roles can vary according to who the coach is working with and what the aims, ability, experience and age of the participants are www.playingforthefuture.co.uk