What makes a team great? Winning without powerful coaching cannot make the team great. But, reaching athletes on a personal level can. Victory is a secondary part of success because great coaching runs deeper than victories and failures. The coach needs to be an authority, but also reachable enough for athletes to open up, to view their coach as a mentor, or a role model. The balance between rational and empathy has to be made. However, as in any other relationship, both coach and athlete have to make an effort for it, because an influential relationship is important for the teams’ whole performance.
Teamwork
Every athlete tends to be the best for themselves, being the best will not just bring the glory to the athlete but to the whole team as well. Difference between these two approaches involves ego. Ego is when you think only about yourself. Your awareness is focused on your emotional comfort and how you understand other people.
Being egoless is the complete contrast. Since you have thrown ”yourself” away, you do not feel offended by insults or anything else that would normally offend you. Awareness of your power, together with the awareness of the power you have in a group, will lead to a successful team relationship and teamwork.
On the other hand, the coach must be an authority. He/she must have such an attitude worthy of respect. Respect out of fear is the easiest form of respect, but well-deserved respect is long-term. This attitude must be supported by the right qualities, not thought-out for the authority. The right qualities will be recognized by the group through the hard work with athletes, great communication skills, thoughtful approach and believing.
If the team gets out of hand, the coach should be the one to return the team to its place. Athletes will often lose focus, but the coach has the responsibility to improve relationships and point to the right values in the team over and over again. Being a role model is a 24/7 job.
Victories measured by numbers only are somewhat attainable without relationships, but the drawback that system has is – coaches become isolated and athletes embrace “win at any cost” attitude which leads to selfishness. The coach should focus on the positive competitive setting so that athletes can have a chance for unlimited personal growth.
Communication
More than just the voice on the field, job of a coach isn’t just about physical progress, it is about setting their athletes up for success in life. Young athletes are sensitive to their encircling environment. Unconcern and irritability set a poor example to be followed. With good communication, athletes can vocalize their ideas and concerns to benefit everyone. The coach has to have in mind that every athlete is different, so the form of communication has to be different also. Democratic style of coaching is where the coach and athlete communicate naturally, have dialogue and discussions. Autocratic coaching is telling instead of listening and can be beneficial when strong trust is present. Communication requires speaking and listening from both parties. Without communication, both parties may find disharmony throughout the team.
Approachability
Another method for a well-balanced relationship between a coach and an athlete is for the coach to be available as a tutor or advisor. Wheather if its an open door policy or a private meeting before/after practice, it’s about giving athletes every opportunity to build a possible relationship. Being approachable will attract players, both those interested and those who are not sure if they want to even be. Gathering outside of practice is a great way to build the lasting relationships. One idea is to host an event, a meal or just a fun activity. Not only will that contribute to the coach-athlete relationship but also to the team relations – connecting outside the common relationship structure.
Understanding
Being approachable does not mean that the coach needs to be positive about every aspect. Giving a feedback on the things that did not go well, in a way of showing them where they need improvement is a “healthy” coaching. If that is said with genuine intentions, an athlete will feel it and appreciate it, that is called understanding. Putting ego to the side. The coach has to be the one who helps an athlete gain confidence in their skill. That is what makes a self-motivated team, acceptance, and understanding of both good and bad comments that have the idea of progressing and improving.
