Lesson 3 - Many coaching “hats”

Nothing really prepares you for the day to day things you have to deal with as a coach. When I started coaching I had an undergrad and post grad degree, had completed my coaching qualifications, had 10 years of international experience as an athlete, and even now with 11 years coaching experience, I continue to come across a variety of situations that I have to work out on the fly.

During my studies at University I avoided psychology, preferring the data driven subjects like exercise physiology and biomechanics. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, if I knew I was going to end up coaching elite athletes I probably would’ve chosen a psychology module. I am sure most coaches would agree that the technical aspect of this job is easier than the mental/psychological side, I certainly feel this way.

This is where I lean on my network of fellow coaches from within athletics and from other sports. There’s usually someone somewhere who has experienced a similar situation to the one I am facing and can offer advice and guidance when something crops up that. I am grateful to be able to pick up the phone to some world class coaches and seek their counsel.

Experience also helps here; the longer I coach the more patterns of behavior I see and the better I can help athletes navigate their particular situation. There are certainly patterns emerging as I move through my career; there also continues to be curve balls which keep us all on our toes.

No-one really prepares you for the different “hats” you wear as a coach; building a support network and accrued experience are two ways to help