Coaching journal

My position as National coach has proven so far to be enjoyable but not without its obstacles, Having only been in the job the nine weeks, it feels longer.  I sit here on the eve of my first major championships reflecting on the preparation and pondering over what could be.  Being placed in a position of diminished responsibility but given full responsibility of the outcome will surely spell the demise of any coach, but as we draw closer the event priority of winning must take over.  This is what I do!! Many of the athletes I will be seeing for the first time, so this will allow me to assess their abilities and form a more accurate projection for future events.  In short a 'perfomance indicator', however there are some I know and personally coach so I have a clear picture of their abilities.

The dynamics of coaching such a diverse group is a complex one and can be approached in several ways;

• Autocratic - Do as I say!  You have no opinion only My way!  mmmm urrgghh

To use this method all the time is a 'cop out'.  Yes sometimes it is needed and makes control easier but is suppressive and over used will undoubtedly have a backlash of some kind.

• Democratic

This allows the athlete to have some input into their training and ultimately gives them more responsibility over the outcome.  Advanced practitioners have their own proven methods and ideas.  Who knows I may even learn something myself and at the very least gain a valuable in site into the workings of a given athlete.

I agree you can't asked everybody, every time to teach a combination what they think, its impractical. and time consuming. So how can we create a democratic environment? Well, try completing one-to-ones with all the athletes and ask everyone the same questions (to keep consistency), a pattern may emerge which will help to guide future sessions.

• Empowerment

I personally love this one.  Empower your athletes to want to go out and achieve their best performance, to enjoy the journey and not squander their once in a life time experience but to realise their potential.  Ah!! I just remembered why I love coaching.  Not to be confused with  'Laissie Faire', (laid back and of nonchalant appearance), although this has its place in helping to relax nervous competitors and subsequently controlling anxiety and anticipatory heart rate increase.  Last thing we want is the inverted 'U' theory!! (google it if your not sure.

Session content and how you treat each one requires strategic diversity in built into session plans to ensure all have an equal opportunity to develop.  This requires an undrstanding of the diffenrence between 14 and 20 year olds.  We must remember over 18's are adults, they can vote, legally consume alcohol , sign their own codes of conduct and if we communicate their personal details with their parents without their consent we breach data protection policies, phew. A complex web but having worked in further education for 10 years, I think I'm headed in the right direction.

No coach is complete with out a team working behind him toward the same aim.  With the upset of Paul Newby Assistant National coach rupturing his achilles in pre-training, Davin Pack another bright young coach has stepped in a short notice to assist in the procress. Between the HOD, the Chaperones and ever present Physio' Mo we will crack.  Come the day step back let the coaches do their job and enjoy the ride.  its gonna be a bumpy one!!!!

Anyway, I guess it's time for them to go and write their own history, its a blank page at the moment and remember, this is sport 'ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN'