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The question, “How does one become an effective coach?” is something that I have pondered and my perspective on the answer to this question has changed over the years. Previously, I equated effectiveness with the coaches that had the highest winning percentage or had earned the most championships. However, the more I talk with, observe and research coaches at different levels, my perception of effective coaches now focuses on the holistic development (e.g., athletically, academically, civically, socially, etc.) of their athletes.

According to Côté and Gilbert (2009), effective coaching is “consistent application of integrated professional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal knowledge to improve athletes’ competence, confidence, connection, and character in specific coaching contexts” (p. 316). Based on this description, effectiveness is reached when a coach consistently works on his or her development through the following three types of knowledge to positively develop one’s athletes in and out of competition:

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In my experience as a Mental Performance Coach most of the questions I get regarding performance can be answered by creating a mental plan.  Mental plans can be as simple or complex as needed. They can be made to address everything from general day-to-day life to sport performance, including, but not limited to pre-competition, competition, post-competition and recovery plans.

The FACE plan provides a simple, easy to use structure to build a mental plan. FACE is an acronym that stands for Focus, Attitude, Confidence, and Energy. Loosely borrowed from the military’s contingency PACE planning strategy, the FACE plan provides a complete mental plan while quickly prioritizing mental tools and skills.

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We have been consulting with coaches, athletes, and teams for over three decades.  The following ten traits are some of the commonalities of those with great athletic programs. It is not by coincidence.  Excellence is never an accident.  Be intentional when it comes to your team culture.

1. Consistent and Clear Standards and Values: Preset team values are the foundation or cornerstones for every successful team. What is your team’s identity? Great teams establish their own culture.
2. The Team Members Feel a Collective Responsibility to Learn and Follow the Team Values: People commit to the team values and live it in their actions. “This is the way we do things around here” is something the team members are proud to express. The feeling is that “we don’t want to do anything that would let down the coaches, the team and each other”. Everyone is accountable.
3. Master Teachers – Master Motivators: The first-way coach’s gain credibility, respect, and trust is how much they know and how well they can teach it. Successful coaches understand the game and their players and how to teach both.
4. Positive Role Models: Coaches must consistently live the team values in their actions. The seniors are the best examples of team values. In these programs freshmen or sophomores can be told, “if you are not sure how hard to work or how to act in any situation, just watch our seniors and follow their lead.”  Your older players and most talented players must be your best workers.
5. All Roles are Valued: When there is relationship-based leadership everyone who contributes to the team is shown value.  Credit is shared.  When all roles are valued, players are more willing to accept roles and teams are more successful.
6. Positive Rites of Passage: Intentionally created positive traditions provide a path for athletes to be welcomed and to grow into leadership. Nothing that could be considered hazing is ever-present.
7. Consistent Performance Feedback: Coaches know how to balance praise and correction. Athletes take correction as a compliment – they are coachable.
8. Trust – Players trust each other and their coaches.  They trust their training.  Mutual trust allows direct, open, honest communication and fearless play.
9. Sense of Urgency: There is a high energy level.  Individual and team discipline is visible in the focused attention and focused effort of everyone. Details are important. Only disciplined teams have a chance to win championships.
10. Impact the Player’s Lives: Players in these programs treasure the experience so much that they carry the lessons and values over beyond the season and into their lives. They build successful teams of their own.

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Coaching education programs at the collegiate level are on the rise. Exact numbers are unknown, but we can estimate that there are approximately 150 undergraduate or graduate certificates, minors, or degrees that provide some form of coach training.

Why is coach education and development at the college level so important? One primary reason is to dispel myths about coaching. In the animated movie Ratatouille, which I might have seen one too many times, chef Auguste Gusteau is adamant that “anyone can cook.” Unfortunately, the same belief might exist in the coaching profession, with many thinking that it requires little training or expertise to coach. Simply watching coaches or experiences as an athlete might lead some to suggest that they now possess the many skills required to be ethical and effective as a coach. Such logic would suggest I have the skills to be a dentist: I have watched dentists and I have been a dentist’s patient. Therefore, I am now good enough to be a dentist. Trust me, you do not want me as your dentist!