What Makes a Great Coach?
Qualities of a coach can vary, from strictness and discipline, to leanness and the focus of fun. Every play expects and needs something different than the player they stand next to. The effects a coach has on a player can be long lasting, and carry over into more aspects of life than just on the court or field.
High school athletes can be under tremendous pressure through their career when it comes to wanting to perform well or impress their peers. A coach may be that make it or break it piece of an athlete, pushing an athlete to be the best they can be while still communicating in a positive light may be a hard balance to find, but a great coach can do that.
“I have a softball coach named Chad Boudin, and we have a great relationship. He’s always pushing me to be my best, even if I don’t like it. He wants me to be the best version of myself and the best player I can be,” Varsity softball player, Ali O’brien (28) said.
When navigating high school and even college the student becomes before the athlete. If you do not get it done in the classroom and are failing, you will not be able to play in the following week of competitions until you get that grade up. Coaches are held responsible to make their athletes better as a whole, not just athletically.
“With grades I tell them to reach out to the teachers that they’re having the issues with and then ask for help. I think that’s the biggest thing is every teacher wants their students to be successful and so reaching out. And then personally I guess I would just say just reminding them that even though tennis is an individual sport it’s still a team sport, everything that they do outside of practice and games also affects their team,” Coach Ashley Dailer said.
Great coaches push athletes on and off the court to grow. Setting the boundaries for the whole team may be beneficial so they know the expectations and what happens if those rules are broken.
¨I think just good communication and knowing me personally and how I deal with stuff and how I play.I think it’s really important that a coach stays composed during a game because if they’re frantic, then the team gets frantic,¨ varsity girls basketball captain Kailee Anderson (27) said.
Coaches may be important people in an athlete’s life, athletes crave for the validation of the person who plays, and teaches them. Lessons taught by coaches can move with an athlete forever, or negatively change your journey with your sport.
¨Oh geez well it [a bad relationship with a coach] can turn them away from the sport that they love. I mean I had that in basketball when I was in high school and it just takes away their love of the game… try to work with the coach. Be respectful always. I always did that. But then you always have your teammates too and in the end like that, what you’re going to remember is your teammates that are with you through it all and just keep a positive attitude and yeah have fun,¨” Dailer said.
