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Coaching in sport is becoming more difficult as we move into the 21st century. While this article focuses on the swim coach, the lessons learned can be adapted to coaching in all sports. So what are the attributes of a great coach?
A coach will play a very important role in the lives of young swimmers. His actions and attitudes help shape their view of the world and of themselves. For some children, the coach will enter their world at a time when they may be working to reduce the influence of their parents. Children may look to you for considerable support, either physically or psychologically. The potential for impact on the lives of young people should not be daunting.
A common mistake for young coaches is to assume that verbal communication is not only the best form of communication, but that it is the only way to communicate. Another problem is that some coaches tend to talk too much. Verbal communication is vital; but it can lose some of its effectiveness when used unnecessarily, especially during training.
Nonverbal communication, such as the coach’s facial expressions or gestures that show anger, frustration, acceptance, empathy, disapproval, or pleasure, can and do have an effect on swimmers during training and competition. Recent research concludes that young swimmers assume that nonverbal cues are more revealing of the coaches’ real feelings and thoughts than words.
The implications for coaching are clear: what you do is far more important than what you say.
In the first three years of our life we learn to speak.
In the next three you learn to read and write.
How much time is spent teaching people to listen?
Learn this skill, then teach it to your staff and swimmers.
The coach must be a good listener, that is, pay attention to what the athlete says. The individual needs of athletes must be taken into account.
This is where the element of respect comes into play, as the coach’s response will determine how the athlete will approach you in the future. Every swimmer should receive feedback on technique and performance in each session.
A great coach will have developed their own standards and philosophies regarding their chosen sport. They will have strong communication skills and will be honest and approachable with athletes, parents, and fellow coaches.
Coaching knowledge and experience, not necessarily sport-specific, is generally very helpful. A great coach will have strong self-discipline and instill discipline in team members. If a situation arises with a swimmer, he will go after the situation and not the individual. It is important to discipline in private and reward in public. Make sure you never hurt the dignity of the individual.
A coach should strive to reduce and minimize the need for discipline by making sure that your program includes fun, activity, and learning. They will have the ability to teach and train. Training styles differ, so don’t try to copy someone else.
The respected swim coach will instill the most desirable ideals and character traits in his swimmers. They have a responsibility to maintain discipline throughout the training session and to be self-assured, attentive, consistent, friendly, fair and competent. They should also be able to deal with the initial treatment of minor injuries.
A great swimming coach will be very organized for each session, for the week, for the month, for the year and will be able to justify, if necessary, why things are being done.
They will be able to create an environment where success is inevitable by instilling discipline and standards for athletes to observe and commit to. A great coach will have a high level of commitment and discipline and should be the core of your swim club. The club’s objectives must parallel the training program and vice versa, and it is important that the coach provides what is needed for the club to be successful.
Open and regular communication with parents is vital. A great coach will be accessible to parents and will listen to them, but in the end they will make their own decision. It is important for coaches to look at the kind of relationship they have with parents as if they become friends and the coach needs to make a tough decision then the coach will be in a compromising position.
Coaches also have a legal responsibility to provide a safe environment, ensuring that facilities and equipment are safe for both users and others involved in competition and training. Safety in all sports must be the message that we must put into practice in our daily work as coaches. Swimming pools are a dangerous environment to work in and all necessary precautions must be taken to keep your pool safe.
Carefully plan your training sessions to ensure the progression of your athletes and limit the risk of injury. Be confident in identifying exercises that are potentially dangerous (eg, straight leg raises) and provide a safe substitute. Activities must be properly planned. Impaired learning ability and injuries can be the result of unplanned practice sessions.
Young athletes should not be mismatched. Young athletes must be matched not only based on age, but also based on height, weight, and maturity. Skill levels and experience must also be considered.
Safe and suitable equipment must be provided and the equipment must be in good repair and safe to use at all times.
Athletes must be warned of the risks inherent in the sport. Participants can only legally accept the risks inherent in a sport if they know, understand and appreciate those risks.
Make sure activities are closely supervised. Adequate supervision is necessary to ensure that the practice environment is as safe as possible.
Trainers must know first aid. Trainers must be aware of basic emergency procedures and stay current on them.
Develop clear written rules for training and general conduct. Many injuries are the result of wasting time in locker rooms and training venues.
Coaches must keep proper records.
Proper records are useful planning aids and are essential in all injury cases.
Expect the unexpected. Always renew your insurance coverage well before it expires each year in case you need it.