Understanding Sport Coaching

Unit 2 Physical Education

Roles & Responsibilities of a Sport Coach

• Responsible for training an athlete or team• Enable the athlete to achieve levels of

performance that may not otherwise be possible

• Considers both physical and mental preparation

Styles of CoachingCoaches need to be able to apply their style/

method to changing situations. Coaches often combine these most common styles:

• Authoritarian or Autocratic• Casual • Democratic or Cooperative• Personable or Friendly• Delegatory

Authoritarian or Autocratic Style

• Strict and firm• Demand discipline• Make decisions without player input• Severe on poor performance• Don’t explain why something is being done• Focus on winning• Development of team unity (when successful)• May turn off sensitive/”deep thinking” athletes

Democratic or Cooperative Coaches

• Athlete centred• Shared decision making• Flexibility• Develop trust & respect• May be seen as weak or

athletes may exploit freedom

Casual Style

• Relaxed, almost detached from athlete• Loosely organised, may lack planning• Act like a consultant• Helps when advice is sought by athlete• Highly motivated athletes may want more

structure• Some athletes may feel empowered and gain

independence

Personable or Friendly Style

• Friendly and approachable

• Good athlete rapport• Issues dealt with

diplomatically• Openness may be

exploited by athlete

Delegatory Style

• Use a group of experts under a head coach

• Expensive• Often at the elite level• Head coach is manager &

oversees program• Requires excellent

communication

Activity

• List one coach whom you know, have been coached by or have seen on television that fits the mould for each of the coaching styles.

• Describe why that person fits the mould for each coaching style.

• What style of coach or combination of styles of coach are you? OR would you be?

Skills & Characteristics of a Coach

Activity

• Provide a practical example of a coach addressing the issue of risk management at their club or team.

• Why is it important to have behavioural standards for coaches?

• You are the coach of an under-10 basketball team. A parent of a team member continually abuses their child and the umpires. How would you approach this situation?

Communication• Should use both verbal & non-

verbal• Clear & concise• Explanations & demonstrations• Listen to what the athlete is

saying• Ensure there is a positive

environment where there is mutual respect

• Have a sense of humour

Experience & Qualifications

• Understands training principles and methods including periodisation

• Apply sports psychology• Knowledge of rules, skills, strategies and

techniques• Keep statistics/key data• Follow national sport pathways/accreditation

schemes

Skills & Characteristics of Coach• Cater for individual differences:– Age– Preferred learning style– Ability & stage of learning– Level of competition– Motivation and goals

• Organisational skills• Observation & Performance

Analysis• Ability to improve performance

Leadership

• Effective communication• Cater for individual

differences• Patience and persistence• Ability to motivate• Integrity• Model appropriate

behaviour

Team Culture• Values and structures that are accepted by

group members– Attendance and punctuality – On & off-field behaviour– Dress code– Selection procedures– Leadership structure– Training procedures – Pre & post-game protocols

Activity

• What do you think makes a good coach? • Are coaches born leaders or can they develop

their leadership skills? • How important are tactics in the following

game settings: An U12 netball match, and U18 basketball match at the national championships and a Twenty20 international cricket match? Explain your response.

Performance Analysis• Collecting statistical

information from the game– Quantitative- frequency of

particular skills, speed etc.– Qualitative- effectiveness of

disposals, execution of skills

• Provided before, during and after the game

Performance Analysis• Considers:– Energy system requirements– Movement patterns, type and

direction– Muscle groups & actions– Work : Rest ratios– Skill requirements– Team strategies– Opponents strengths and

weaknesses– Biomechanical techniques– Intensity of movement