Characteristics of a Great Coach

When you are playing a sport, one of the most important factors of your success is to have a good coach who can guide and motivate you properly. Having a good coach, who can instruct, but also motivate you, can make all the difference in the world as to the performance you will be able to reach. Learning how to identify what makes an effective coach is key to an athletic career.

  1. Knowledge

    • A coach can only be effective to his team --- or his athletes, in individual sports --- if he displays extensive knowledge of his sport. The knowledge that is required of a coach goes far beyond basic ideas and fundamentals, and needs to be comprehensive and deep. From the tactics and strategy, rules and history, psychology and motivation, the coach has to know it all, inside out.

    Communication

    • Coaches need to be clear and effective communicators. After all, coaches are responsible for relaying instructions, pointers, expectations and feedback to their team. Without a communicative coach, a team can be left disorganized, chaotic and confused, none of which are part of the formula for success.

    Listening

    • Communication isn't all that is necessary of a coach. A strong coach also needs to display good listening skills. When a player is having difficulty, he needs to be able to convey exactly what the problem is in order to get assistance from the coach. In many ways, coaches operate as surrogate parents for their team, which means that listening skills are crucial.

    Motivation

    • Motivation is one of the most vital elements to successful coaching. A coach has to understand how to master the fine art of getting a team pumped and ready to go. Coaches need to have the ability to inspire teams and create an atmosphere and energy that is positive and enthusiastic.

    Attentiveness

    • Attentiveness is a necessary quality in coaches. Coaches must be able to have the ability to both appreciate and identify the good qualities and differences in all of the team players. Due to the fine attention to detail, coaches should be able to know how to bring out positives and work on or adapt to any weaknesses of the players on the team.

    Toughness

    • Coaches also need to know how to display tough love without being mean or cruel. A coach should be able to tell his players when he is disappointed in them or when he thinks that they are not living up to their capabilities, while simultaneously being constructive and concerned.

    Approachability

    • Approachability is also a quality all good coaches should have. A team player needs to feel comfortable going up to his coach and asking to speak to him alone, whether it is to ask questions, offer suggestions or talk about some difficulty he might be experiencing. A coach should never be intimidating to his team.

    Inquisitive

    • Another key to effective coaching is having intellectual curiosity and being inquisitive. To coach successfully, it is important to constantly want to learn and seek out improved and new coaching methods and techniques.