Coaching is not an easy job. You are responsible for a team of people, and most of them look up to you as a leader. The profession doesn't just rely on expertise and training, either. Having a good coaching philosophy is also essential. Coaches have to adorn themselves with multiple hats - of mentors, advisors, or even friends to their players. As a coach, you are expected to guide your team, inspiring them to become better at what they do. Winning is important, of course, but your training's core focus must be on the development of your athletes. Coaches must grow along with their team, applying the best coaching strategies possible to succeed.
There are various coaching styles, including democratic, autocratic, and holistic coaching. The strategy you choose depends on your knowledge and training, supported by your coaching philosophy.
What is a coaching philosophy, and why is it so important? It is a set of principles based on your personal values and your objectives as a coach. On top of that, your philosophy must include how you decide to approach team development and success.
Here are a few reasons why you need a philosophy for coaching:
1. It serves as a guide for how you behave as a coach.
Your philosophy outlines your objectives, approach, values, and principles as a coach. When you make these components clear, you can look back on them as you train your team. Coaching is a tedious job that requires much physical and mental concentration, so it's good to have a guide to refer to when things become overwhelming.