Learn to be a better Sports Coach

Sports coaches aim to encourage participation in sports and also to help improve the performance of individual athletes and teams. They may work with children and the disabled, as well as professional and amateur athletes. Some coaches work part-time or as volunteers, some are self-employed, whereas others are full time employees of sports clubs. Coaches not only have relationships with the athletes themselves, but often other family members, administrators of sports teams or clubs, other related professionals like sports psychologists, nutritionists and doctors, and in some cases fans and fan clubs. 

Sports coaching can therefore be a very demanding position which takes a lot of effort on the part of the coach to help their clients succeed and remain focused, whilst also dealing with the needs and requests of others. 

Lesson Structure

There are 11 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Sports Coaching
   • What Do We Mean by Sports Coaching?
   • Focus on Sports Coach
   • Sports Coaching Skills and Roles
2. Professional Standards and Communication in Sports Coaching
   • Ethics in sports coaching
   • Example Code of Ethics
   • Confidentiality
   • Professional Standards in Sports Coaching
   • Good communication with athletes and other sporting professionals
3. The Coach-Athlete Relationship
   • The relationship between the coach and athlete
   • The 3 + 1Cs Model
   • Other Relationship Models
   • A Two-Way Road
   • Coaching Skills
4. Training Roles of the Coach and Athlete
   • The Three Stages of Athlete Learning
   • Types of coaching ROLES
   • Autocratic Coaching – teacher and dictator
   • Democratic Coaching – involving
   • Laissez-faire
   • Holistic Coaching – the global approach
   • Which Style is For You?
   • Blended Coaching – the dynamic approach
5. Motivation
   • What is Motivation?
   • Needs Hierarchy
   • Intrinsic & Extrinsic Motivation
   • Incentives and Rewards
   • Fear as a Motivator
   • How to Motivate Sports People
   • Motivating Through Purpose
   • Offering Autonomy and Support
   • Using Visualisations
   • Case Study
6. Coaching Individuals
   • Sports that are played by individuals
   • Coaching Skills with the Individual
   • Social Facilitation & the Individual
   • Case studies of coaching working with individuals
7. Coaching Teams
   • Sports that are played by teams
   • Building Teams
   • Team Dynamics
   • Creating Team Leaders
   • Motivating Teams
   • Social Facilitation & Teams
   • Coaching skills with the team
   • Case studies of sports people in team sports
   • Case Studies of Coaching Working with Team
8. The Athletic Identity
   • What is the athletic identity?
   • Social Identity Theory
   • Importance of the Athletic Identity
   • Problems with Athletic Identity
   • How a Sports Coach Can Help
   • The Stages of Grieving
   • How does this relate to the sports person?
9. Children and Parents in Sport
   • Ethical Issues Working with Children
   • How coaching children differs to coaching adults
   • Sports that involve children
   • Coaching Style
   • Psychological issues when children are involved in sport
   • Encouraging Children to Take Up Sports
10. Amateur Vs Elite Vs Professional Sports Coaching
    • Amateur vs. Professional
    • Case Study
    • Money
11. Maintaining Your Motivation as a Coach
    • A Recap on Motivation
    • Positive Thinking
    • Staying Focused
    • Staying Engaged
    • How to Deal with Disappointment
    • Maintaining Your Personal Development and Training in Coaching
    • Avoiding Stress and Burnout

WHAT CAN A SPORTS COACH DO TO HELP THE ATHLETE?

Being able to influence the athlete is the single most important requirement of a sports coach. It helps if you have a charismatic personality but this is not something which can be learnt. Nevertheless, now that the role of sports coach has evolved to become a recognised profession, the role of a sports coach has become much more varied. Different coaching positions call for different skill sets, and some may call for a broader range of roles. It would not be possible for all coaches to be fully adept at all the roles that may be asked of them, but they should at least be aware of what they are and be able to make competent decisions when needed. 

Some of the different roles that may be asked of a coach include: instructor, demonstrator, mentor, adviser, motivator, organiser, planner, leader and others. Sometimes, they are called upon as a friend. Let’s take a look at what some of these roles could entail.

Instructor – coaches need to provide instruction to athletes so they can develop skills needed to succeed at their sport. 

Demonstrator – it’s not always possible or effective to discuss techniques. Sometimes it is necessary to physically show your athletes a particular skill or move they need to learn.  

Mentor – coaches often act as a trusted advisor to athletes under their guidance i.e. ensuring their safety and welfare, being responsible to their family, monitoring their wellbeing during training, and offering support if they have any problems or injuries.

Advisor – advice offered can range from what equipment to use, types of sportswear, or training regimes. Coaches also need to be prepared to answer questions on a variety of sports related topics, and sometimes things outside the realm of sport.  

Motivator – the coach has to keep athletes motivated through good and bad times, after victories and defeats. A coach also has to keep themselves motivated. 

Organiser – coaches may have to organise meetings, arrange training sessions, ensure people are present, and so forth. 

Planner – coaches are required to work out training plans e.g. weekly training schedules. Planning might also extend to when your athletes can use certain facilities or equipment.  

Leader – a coach has to take responsibility and make important decisions. Athletes will look to coaches for inspiration and leadership.  

Assessor – coaches must monitor and assess an athlete’s performance, both in training and in competition. Keeping records and use of assessment tools can help to quantify progress.

Counsellor – sometimes you may have to help an athlete with emotional issues. At other times you might need to get another professional to help with this. 

Facilitator – coaches play a part in finding appropriate competitions for their athletes to enter. 

Researcher – coaches need to stay on top of current trends with regards to training techniques. They also need to be well-informed in terms of rival athlete’s or team’s results, and gather knowledge about the sport both at home and overseas.   

Friend – coaches inevitably develop strong bonds and relationships when they work closely with athletes. As well as successes and victories, athletes may choose to share problems with their coach. If they do, then you must retain confidentiality because you have a professional relationship with them.   

Role model – it is beneficial to athletes if their coach demonstrates positive behaviours and good practices for their athletes to follow. It’s especially important when working with children because they learn a lot by observing and imitating others.