for a lot of coaches, they are just a body that filled the position because no one else wanted to volunteer their time, and it does involve a lot. the problem means there are also a few that have no idea what they are doing, or think they are going to coach the next superstar. the best thing a new coach can do is get some sort of certification. In Canada it is actually mandatory for safety reasons and also teaches the coaches the limits and boundaries because unfortunately there are a few bad apples that cross the line. Kudos to all that take the time to coach. Trying to balance the needs of the athlete, the pressure of the parents that think their kid is an all star, and the pressure of the school to show some wins, is not an easy task.
Thank you for the great comment! You’ve nailed it-coaching involves much more than just filling a spot. Certification, like what’s required in Canada, is a fantastic way to build both skills and safety awareness, which can really set a coach up for success. Certifications are not required in the US, but schools and USATF require courses for coaches. Balancing athletes' needs, parents' expectations, and school goals is challenging but so rewarding. Kudos to all dedicated coaches out there making a positive impact!
for a lot of coaches, they are just a body that filled the position because no one else wanted to volunteer their time, and it does involve a lot. the problem means there are also a few that have no idea what they are doing, or think they are going to coach the next superstar. the best thing a new coach can do is get some sort of certification. In Canada it is actually mandatory for safety reasons and also teaches the coaches the limits and boundaries because unfortunately there are a few bad apples that cross the line. Kudos to all that take the time to coach. Trying to balance the needs of the athlete, the pressure of the parents that think their kid is an all star, and the pressure of the school to show some wins, is not an easy task.
Thank you for the great comment! You’ve nailed it-coaching involves much more than just filling a spot. Certification, like what’s required in Canada, is a fantastic way to build both skills and safety awareness, which can really set a coach up for success. Certifications are not required in the US, but schools and USATF require courses for coaches.
Balancing athletes' needs, parents' expectations, and school goals is challenging but so rewarding. Kudos to all dedicated coaches out there making a positive impact!