When you create something, isn't there a great feeling of bliss?
Well that's the feeling you get when you coach an athlete and see
them win their first competition. It takes a lot of work from both
parties, the coach and the athlete. Fortunately, in the end, it is
most definitely worth it.
Steps
- Understand that different ages, genders, and skill levels
determine how you should approach coaching your team.
- Surround yourself with other good coaches.
- Read. The best way to learn specific things about a sport is to
read up on it.
- Make lists of what you need to work on. Is your athlete a
soccer player? Make sure they know how to dribble correctly. Is
your athlete a basketball player? Work on his score figure. Specify
what you want to achieve with your athlete, in a general and long
term time frame.
- Plan practices. Each session you have together must be taken
seriously, since there will be time later to enjoy yourselves.
Before each practice, make sure that you know what you will do, and
plan with extra work. Make sure every second counts.
- Let them meet other people who do the same sport. This will
immerse everyone in the competitive spirit.
- Make sure you have all the supplies. Certain sports will need
for the coach or the organization that the coach works for to have
supplies such as balls, cones, etc.
- Constructively criticize and compliment. An athlete needs both
encouragement and constructive criticism to become better and to
know that he is getting better.
Tips
- Make your athlete drink water before, during and after a
session with him or her.
- A healthy diet is necessary in the competitive world of
sports.
Warnings
- If you do not know the sport or are not trained to teach the
sport, do not try and teach the athlete. Just because you played it
in high school, does not mean you know everything about it. You may
hurt someone if you don't know what you are doing.
- Stretching is necessary to have a successful practice. Not
stretching can be dangerous and unhealthy.
- Being a coach isn't everything. You also must be a friend and
understand your athlete's personal life. Make him feel good without
being intrusive.
- Know about your athlete's health issues such as asthma and
diabetes
