When coaching a group of athletes, the coach will have to deal with varying levels of experience and ability as well as differing personalities. And as the athletes in the group develop, the coach may have to change his or her coaching style to ensure continued success.
Coaching athletes at all levels calls for a variety of skills; depending on the support structure, the coach is likely to have to be motivator, technical expert, psychologist, bus driver, kit-carrier, administrator and manager, to name but a few of the obvious roles.
It seems that successful coaching of high-level athletes involves a much more consensual process than the do-as-I-say approach which may be used for beginners. High-level athletes need to have much more input into goal setting and the structure of training. They also need to be more responsible for regulating themselves.
Perception and effective management of stress is also an important factor. High stress environments lead to athlete burnout. Good coaches recognise this, and they also appreciate the other demands placed on their athletes, whether they be full-time professionals or very good amateurs who have to balance competition with study or employment. Athletes who have good communication with the coach tend to perceive the environment as less stressful.
So would a laissez–faire approach to training be suitable for beginners? What about teaching the fundamental skills necessary for competence in a sport? Is there a place for the autocratic coach in the continuum from beginner to world champion? These questions may already have been answered in a different field.
Peak Performance
