A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog on things that annoy me in the fitness industry, check it out here. One of the things was lazy coaching. Today, I’m writing on what I feel effective coaching looks like and how an effective coach builds instead of breaks. It would be wrong of me to simply say poor coaching annoys me without describing what goof coaching is so here we go.
Hopefully everyone enjoyed a nice Easter weekend last week and the 4-day weekend most of us got. I loved having the extra bit of time off to hang out with loved ones and just re-energize but my god, when I get out of routine it really messes me up. Had a couple lie ins passed my usual 6AM wake up time (8AM when I’m not on the morning shift) and I couldn’t sleep Monday or Tuesday night, I was lying in bed, eyes wide open at 2AM and I know it’s down to a shift in not only my sleep routine but just my general day to day activities. Just goes to show, we are creatures of habit and when our habit is changed, we don’t do well, however, when we can create positive new habits, they can have an incredible impact. Whether that’s better nutrition or something as simple as an improved sleep routine.
I’m sure a lot of you reading this have had a coach or do have a coach in some aspect of your life. It doesn’t just have to be exercise related, you can have a life coach, financial coach or piano coach. But to me, there are certain things that define a good coach from a poor coach. While reading this, think back to your last coach and see if you can attach the following to them, if you can’t, well then, I think you might’ve been let down.
Planning and Preparation
This should go pretty unnoticed by the people getting coached but when not done correctly or at all it can become quite evident. A well-planned session should run smoothly if the coach has done their job and got up early enough to prepare. If you’re paying for a PT, the last thing you want is for them to show up for your hour together and stand there thinking about what you’re going to do or being stumped if plan A doesn’t work.
A well-planned session should include plan A, B and C and all different scenarios that may occur. Smooth transitions should be natural, the coach should always be in command of where the session is and where it’s going. This can only happen if the session is pre-planned and the coach is prepared.
Long Term Vision
Okay, obviously the here and now is important. Teams need to get wins; clients need to get results. However, longevity and skill development should be of utmost importance. I think we’ve all heard the story of some deluded under 10 coach going out to win at all costs, even if that means not giving little Johnny a game because he’s not as good as Timmy. Unfortunately, this happens week in, week out and it’s leaving young kids disappointed and resentful towards sport because they’re not being given a fair opportunity. Adults who fail to look at the bigger picture of participation, skill acquisition and development at a young age are destroying the chance of success later in life for that child. At under 10 who cares if the team doesn’t win because a few weaker players missed opportunities that stronger ones may have got? They’ll learn from those chances and improve. All those little chances add up to develop that player and in 10 years’ time they’ll hopefully still be in sport because of it, all because a coach had the vision of development over winning.
The same applies in performance. A great coach should never sacrifice longevity of training for a one-time lift or effort. Being able to see 3, 6, 12 months down the line is a great skill that not many have mastered. I still hear horror stories of other gyms with no development process. They are putting their members at risk by jumping from session to session without any vision. This takes it’s toll on the body. To get better, you need to have some patience and work at increasing one thing at a time, weather that’s strength, hypertrophy or muscular endurance. But when I hear of some people combining power with endurance exercises, I cringe.
Don’t be afraid to ask your coach or your child’s coach, “Hey, where’s the programme going?” or “What’s the aim of this phase of training?” Their reaction will tell you if they’ve thought about it or not. They should be able to concisely tell you in laymen’s terms, without confusing BS.
Educator
This is one of my favorite marks of a great coach. Do they educate as they go or withhold information? Effective coaching is 100% a giving game, give the why, always. Explain why you are doing what you’re doing. A poor coach will keep back information to stop you from being able to do these things yourself, but the endgame should be that you’re not needed anymore. A good coach should educate you enough that eventually you can do some low-level programming and know what good and bad technique feels like, how to warm up for different sessions. If you’re a great coach your clients will stick with you even though they may know this stuff.
Impactful Motivation
Finally, the best coaches get the best out of their athletes. Y’all know how much importance I place on developing meaningful relationships with the people I work with. Trying to relate and understand who they are, not as an athlete but as a person, helps me get the most out of them. What drives a person on, what buttons need to be pressed to get a reaction and knowing little queues of when to back off are all the marks of a great coach. Understanding a person’s inner drive means you can call on that knowledge to give them true motivation when they need it. I think shouting terms like “Let’s go” or “Come on, push it” are complete bullshit. That’s just lazy and crap. Give me something personal, a goal I’m chasing at that moment to pick me up when I need it, that’s impactful. Let’s go? Let’s go where? It’s shit and doesn’t motivate a single person.
Alternatively, you can and should actually coach technique as a motivational tool. Most times it’s during a max lift or conditioning that we turn to motivation. Let’s go won’t get me there when I’m thinking of quitting. However, if someone makes me focus in on my technique it can help refocus me in a moment of need. Little ques like head up, shoulders packed down, reach high, punch the bar… depends on the exercise but you get my drift. That can be incredibly impactful in the moment.
There we have it, a few things that I believe really develop a great leader and great coach. Never should a coach put anyone down, only build them up. Remember, if you are a coach, your words carry a heavy weight. Think about what you’re saying. Speak to build. Remind people of technique, don’t cuss them out for trying.
If you’re coach isn’t doing these things maybe they shouldn’t be your coach anymore because their priorities lie elsewhere.
Rory.