Author: Lori Gano-Overway

How Am I Doing? Using Self-Evaluation to Improve Coaching Practice

baseball_runner_coach_little_league_sport_youth_ballgame_athlete

(2 Minute Read)

The profession of sport coaching not only requires the initial development of core coaching responsibilities (SHAPE America, 2019), but also engagement in lifelong learning to continue to develop coaching competencies over time (Gilbert, 2016). While there are varying approaches to coach learning (Cushion et al., 2010), coaches’ evaluation of their current practice can provide insight into what and how to improve. This article identifies three evaluative processes that may help coaches identify their coaching strengths and areas to target for further growth and development.

FSU COACH PHE ad 2

Read More

Role of the Coach in Recognizing & Responding to Trauma

Trauma is a negative external event that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope.  Traumatic events have been found to affect a majority of youth (2 – 17 years of age; see Gerrity & Forcarelli, 2008).  Additionally, trauma has been found to have a negative impact on physical and mental health as well as an individual’s ability to thrive in a variety of contexts (e.g., school and sport).

Here are two examples of where a coach may have to deal with a traumatic event.

A coach notices an athlete is having a hard time focusing during practices and games.  Additionally, the player seems unmotivated and tends not to interact well with teammates.  The coach learns that the athlete’s family recently lost their home and have been living in a homeless shelter.

Read More