Wednesday 7th March 2012

The week that was,

It is week 4 of my Sport Coaching Pedagogy course and this week we explored the ideas of a coach as a performer. There are many roles of a coach, however, not all are specified nor are all aspects covered. I personally perceive coaching as optimising performance so that an athlete or a team compete at their best. The more we look at coaching the more roles and responsibilities arise. An example as we begin to focus on a world renowned volleyball coach Nikolay Karpol and it prompted me to reflect on coaching styles and what best meets the needs of an athlete or team. So it is also a role of a coach to know an athlete or team to make decisions on what meets their needs and the best way to motivate them. To further explore coaching styles does a coach take on a different persona when coaching as opposed to everyday life much the same way a player might during a game, and if so why?, does this improve coaching?

I personally have not thought about this topic too much until the lector Keith brought it to my attention and it was coaching philosophies. I hadn’t even considered the concept never mind my own personal philosophies, it has been a few days since the lecture and I have had time to think about it. My coaching philosophies are that a coach should be there to observe and share knowledge to better the athlete.

At the end we discussed charismatic authority and one coach came to mind Wayne Bennett, the way he demands attention and respect, are these exceptional powers learnt or is it something you just have?

To end my blog today I would like to leave you with a question to think about, is the coach who coached you as a junior more responsible or the coach at the highest level for your success?