The Art and Science of Coaching

I was fortunate to have Santa Claus and loved ones fill my stocking with numerous books from my Christmas list. My email inbox gets saturated daily with various curated content on how to be a better teacher, coach, athlete, and person in general. With the plethora of information available, there is an importance with being able to understand and filter the presented material.

“You must linger among a limited number of master-thinkers, and digest their works,” he said, “if you would derive ideas which shall win firm hold in your mind.”

Seneca

In today’s world, coaches must be able to analyze and decide upon the application of this information. The secret of a great coach lies in his/her ability to personalize this knowledge to their athletes and team. This is both the Art and Science of coaching: not only understanding the science of the sport, but how to specifically apply, or not apply, this to athletes.

This boils down to knowing your athletes- not only as athletes but as people with different motivations and strengths. The best coaches are the best:

• Questioners
• Listeners
• Noticers

Through purposeful questioning and keen observation, coaches can learn about these motivations and strengths. Part exercise scientist, part sport psychologist, and part teacher combined into a singular title- Coach. The key to being a great coach lying in the Art and Science of how to best help people.