This is a topic that I have been mulling over for a bit... There are a couple of questions here, but I'd be interested in your thoughts.
What traits make for a successful coach?
Does a coach need to have had personal success in skiing at the level that he/she is training his/her athletes for?
What are the milestones/means of measuring a successful coach?
I love the question!!! i am interested to see what others have to say. here is my input.
1. motivator, knowledgeable, able to recognize technique problems and come up with fixes, dedicated to the athlete, organized....
2. i hope not, but it does seem like that is somewhat of a common opinion.
3. respect from peers(which does not always relate to athlete success), respect from athletes, successful progression of athltes over time.
I think one of the single most important things is perspective - not getting to personally invested in your athlete's results - keep the bigger picture of development in mind. I often see coaches who live or die on each race, and actually care too much.
I also believe it is very important not to get too caught up in specific events that are not necessarily key to development - i.e. high school state championships.
Development is a long term process. Keep that in mind.
Here are my two cents:
Success springs from: Organization; goal-setting; leadership; the ability to foster intrinsic motivation in your athletes; willingness to to fight for your athletes; sacrifice; steadfastness for what you believe in, but not hubris that your way is always right; perspective; and I think most importantly, *passion*! (I sound like a Marines commercial!)
I also think that being a great athlete has little to no bearing on how good of a coach you are. The head coach at my HS track program ask prospective coaches three questions. (I'm paraphrasing here, it's been a while since I was asked these questions!) "In order of importance, How do you describe you relationship with kids? How do you describe you relationship with other coaches o staff? What do you know about track?" I agree with him that "content" can be taught, through a variety of methods, but the ability to connect with kids and work with other coaches is the most key to being a successful coach.
As for measuring success, you could say number of state titles, number of kids who try out for your program, number of athletes competing at the next level, etc. However, I measure my success by the long term relationships I have with my athletes. If I see kids coming back, years after they have graduated, and they have been positively affected by my coaching, in whatever way, then I consider my coaching successful. They could be running track, or building computers, doesn't matter, but if they can look back on the time they spent with me, and feel good about it, then that is worth way more to me than any first place finishes.
SEP
P.S.
We got three inches on snow last night in Denver, think am going to break out the rock skis and hit the golf course! I figure I got a little time before everyone in the house wakes up!
Another great question. A tough one to answer, without just repeating the above posts. Long term progression is key for me as well.
1) Traits. I think it helps any coach to have failed in something he or she really worked to achieve.
I think flexibility is also a virtue. A program should be a framework to support individuals, not a cage to keep them in line.
2) Great skiers can be poor coaches. Marginal skiers can be great coaches.
Some of the best coaches I know of were not the best athletes, and made their competition careers on knowledge and learning instead of inbred talent. A good VO2max makes a good skier, it doesn't necessarily make a good coach.
3) How is 'great' measured? Categories could include teacher, season builder, life builder.
I know skiing coaches who can fix any technique issue in any skier, by instantly choosing the right explanation and drill for that individual. They are great teachers, but that may not be enough.
My personal 'great' coaches are not always the ones that led me to the (very rare) successes, they were the ones who taught me lessons that (eventually) made me a better person. 25 years after the last time I had a coach, I am ranking them very differently than I did then, when bests were what mattered to me.
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