The Real Job Of A Sports Coach

Our job as sports coaches is to lead our athletes to success, whatever that success may be. However, the pressure of the job and the desire to be successful can sometimes throw us off course. While we still think we are leading our athletes towards success, the pressure and intensity of the job, causes our methods to fluctuate from our initial intentions. Often for the worse.

When we first get into a sports coaching job, our excitement is booming. We have so many plans. So many good intentions and ideas on how to be a great coach for our athletes. But, somewhere along the way all those well-intended plans and ideas fade into the background. So today, I want to remind you of what the coach’s job is. What your job is.

A sports coach’s job is nothing fancy or complicated, but often we make it so. At the end of the day, our job is to encourage and develop good athletes. And one thing that is often overlooked, we want to develop good athletes that will one day become good coaches.

How we develop our athletes will determine how future coaches are likely to coach theirs. Think about your coaching style. How much of it resembles how you were coached when you were younger? Coaches have such a huge influence on their athletes, and everything you do now will affect athletes now and in the future.

“Victory is in having done your best. If you’ve done your best, you’ve won.”

Bill Bowerman

With that in mind, it’s more important than ever to ensure our coaching methods are positive and modern. And we remain focussed on what’s really important, having fun and loving our sport. Watch this short video by former Major League Baseballer Michael Cuddyer as he discusses what your job is, and the dos and don’ts of being a positive sports coach.

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