ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF COACHES IN DIFFERENT SPORTS
ID no. 21801594
Sports coaches assist players to get the best out of training and being in a good training environment in their chosen sport can increase the positivity and effort that is being performed, by analysing their performances, instructing in the relevant skills and providing strong encouragement to all participants in the club and team whilst also setting a good example to the public will increase the outcome and respect that a coach receives from the players. ‘The primary focus of this role is to ensure that coaching sessions are planned, recorded ; delivered to a high standard each ; every time on assigned coaching deliverables’ (Soccer Elite FA webpage- Lee Spiller) All coaches in sport have different roles and responsibilities in their specific sport that they have chosen to further their coaching career in. But every coach has similar roles and responsibilities that are based in sport these include;
Being a Role Model, a person who as a model in a behavioural role for another person/participant to feed off. The way you conduct yourself in front of athletes/players helps them to achieve to their full potential. The way you conduct yourself whilst you are coaching in the presence of your athletes provides them with an example of how they should behave and conduct themselves. This is one of the most important roles of a coach. A role model is someone that younger athletes would inspire and push themselves to be more like, either in the present or the future. Coaches will have a massive impact on their athletes’ lives within the sport and outside the sport.
An example of this is Pep Guardiola who is a gentleman inside and outside as statistics have shown he has had a high amount of success. ‘The constant tactical demands on his players, overbearing at first, and a remarkable work rate without the ball have resulted in many of them reaching levels not seen before’ (The Guardian- author; Raphael Honigstein 2015). He has never had a problem with anyone in his teams that he has managed/coached, he has been known to treat his players/athletes as more of a member of his family
An Innovator, a successful coach develops motivational techniques and styles that are appropriate for teams and players that they are coaching/managing. Coaches must invent practicing methods that build on and encourage team member knowledge and ability. A coach’s creativity also inspires team members to perform better and at the highest possible standard that they can give. Coaches deal with different personalities, body types, learning abilities and learning styles hence the need for flexibility in these areas. A coach must assess each individual and his unique style and develop specific coaching guides/methods for each member of their team.
An example of this is Shane Sutton who was the coach of the GB cycling team in Beijing 2008, he is a great example of this as his coaching method involves using scientific database with specific training methods to the needed athletes, developing a team mentality in a predominantly individual based sport.
Being an Educator, a good coach will notice that different athletes learn in many ways, and it is a process of adaption. A coach uses activities to instruct and train athletes as well as providing instructions that are adapted to their athlete’s level of needs and performance. They try to help young athletes to grow and become a better athlete and a better person. Athletes in this era are more likely to be tempted into dangerous addictions such as drugs, alcohol etc. The coach should be there to guide them into making the correct decisions when these kinds of temptations occur.
As a motivator, the coaches are required to increase the effort and intensity that their players/athletes are performing at. Always to highest levels regarding ages and ability. Coaches should refrain from just using insults or bad comments/tips towards their athletes, instead they should establish the factors players hold highest to focus energy and concentration. It is the strength and the character of the coach that allows the athletes to overcome setbacks, disappointments and injuries. The coach’s role is to create an environment and to provide the opportunity for the athletes to express their motivation in all they do including training and match days. It’s the coach’s role to support the athlete/player always to inspire the players to feel confident in themselves.
Legal Obligations, clubs and coaches have a duty of care to safeguard all children and athletes involved in the club to protect them from harm. All children have the right to be protected and needs of disabled children and others who are vulnerable must be considered. Every child/player has the right to experience sport in a safe environment without fear of bullying or abuse from others around them. As a coach they have the responsibility to ensure that a safe environment is provided. ‘Coaches need to be aware of their legal responsibilities, especially with respect to the advice they give their athletes and the way they manage and supervise participation in sport. Coaches have a legal responsibility to their athletes’ Brian Mac Sports Coach’
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More Roles and Responsibilities include;
Advisor- Advising athletes/players on training and suitable kit and equipment for chosen sport.
Assessor- Assessing the athlete/players performance in training and in competition.
Counsellor- Resolving emotional problems with athletes/players and reassuring them.
Demonstrator- Demonstrating to the athletes/players the skill you require them to perform.
Friend- Over years of working with players you build a bond with them as well as providing coaching advice you also become someone, a friend, who they can discuss their problems or share their success with.
Instructor- Instructing athletes/players in the skills of their sport.
Supporter- Competition can be a very nerve-racking experience for young athletes/players and often they like you to be around to help them and support them through the pressures.
Comparing these roles into different sports you will see that some have similarities, and some have completely different aspects within the roles for example;
Football;
Some of the main roles of a football coach are, being a role model, being a good role model means that you will earn the respect from your players, also being a manager, this means that you will have to pick the team that you think can perform the best. Adviser, this could be when one of your players do something wrong and you can explain and advise them how to do it better next time. Leader, being someone that your players can look up to and they know that you can lead them into success.
Golf;
Like football, golf coaches also need to be good role models due to usually when coaching golf, it’s done in a 1 to 1 and usually golf coaches will be ex professionals so more than likely you will look up to them as an achievement to be as good as them. Also, to give advice and feedback, when for example cutting a ball or having the face of your club to far open causing a bad shot your coach will ask you what you think you did wrong he will then give you a demonstration on what to do better next time. Also educating the player as they usually have a professional background, so they know how to perform to the best capability. ‘To provide coaching to groups and individuals that is of a consistently high quality and meets or exceeds customer needs and expectations.’ Z S (PGA Role Descriptions, First edition, PGA,2012-page 4)
Cricket;
As a cricket coach you will also need to be a good role model like the other sports to earn the respect of thee players. At the same time being a manager as cricket is a big team game the coach/manager will have to pick the best team that would be suited to pick the winning team. Being an adviser so that when a player does a bad shot or something wrong the coach can show them how to improve what they are doing. As a coach you also need to be a good leader so that the player s can look up to him and see that he can lead them into winning the game. ‘To maintain high ethical standards in coaching, ensure they keep up-to-date with their knowledge, skills and qualifications and prepare all coaching sessions in advance.’ (North Enfield cricket club)
In most sports the responsibilities of a coach are very similar, one of the main responsibilities are health and safety, making sure that the players he/she is working with are safe at any time during the sessions. Passing on knowledge, the coach can pass on his/her experience of the game to the players this will help them have a better understanding of the sport. Another key responsibility as a coach is equal opportunities, as a coach they need to make sure they give everyone the same chance to make it into the team and not have favourites, they cannot treat an individual different to another individual. Being a technical and tactical side of coaching will mean that his players will need to ensure they know the tactical and technical side of the game as this will only improve them in the long run. Educating and improving the players a key aspect as when in practice the coach will be able to tell them there and then whether there are things that the players need to improve on as the coach should know from their experience.
