Competencies
01.
The four core competencies
02.
Skills and Attributes
The four core competencies
As a sports coach, it is important to not only be able to explain how something should be done, but also to create a positive and learning environment. Here are the four core competencies that every sports coach should have, with clear explanations and examples. The four core competencies of a sports coach – structuring, stimulating, giving individual attention and transferring control – are crucial for creating a positive and learning environment. By applying these skills, you can get the best out of your athletes and help them grow, both athletically and personally. As a coach, you are not only an instructor, but also a mentor and a role model, and your influence can have a lasting impact on the development of your athletes.
Structuring
Structuring means that you create a clear structure in your training. This ensures that athletes know what to expect and what is expected of them.
Why is this important?
When athletes know what to expect, they feel more at ease and can focus better. A clear structure also helps to use time effectively and ensures that everyone gets a chance.
How do you do that?
Start with an introduction: Start each training with a short explanation of the exercises that are coming up. For example, this could be: “Today we will start with a warm-up, followed by a few drills and we will end with a game.”
Use a schedule: Show what is on the agenda. This can be a simple board with the exercises or a digital agenda on a tablet.
Stay consistent: Try to maintain a set routine, so that athletes know that they always have a technique class on Tuesdays, for example.
Stimulate
Stimulation means that you encourage and support athletes so that they get the best out of themselves. It is important to create a positive atmosphere in which athletes feel valued and motivated.
Why is this important?
When you encourage athletes, you increase their confidence and enjoyment of the sport. This can motivate them to work harder and persevere, even when things are tough.
How do you do that?
Give compliments: Say things like, “That's great that you rebounded that ball so quickly!” or “You've really made progress since last week!”
Focus on effort: Emphasize the process rather than just the outcome. For example, encourage them to do their best regardless of whether they win or lose.
Be positive about mistakes: When someone makes a mistake, say something like, “That was a good try! Try again, you're on the right track.”
Giving individual attention
Giving individual attention means that you take into account the unique needs and possibilities of each athlete. It is important that everyone feels seen and valued.
Why is this important? Everyone learns and performs in their own way. By paying attention to each athlete, you can support their personal development and help them improve.
How do you do that?
Observe: Watch closely what each athlete does and how they respond to exercises. Pay attention to strengths and areas that need improvement.
Provide personal feedback: Talk to athletes about their progress. This can be as simple as saying, “I noticed you did really well on the last exercise, keep it up!”
Adapt exercises: If you see someone struggling with an exercise, offer an alternative exercise that is more appropriate for their level.
Transferring control
Transferring control means giving athletes more responsibility for their own learning process. This helps them become more independent and build self-confidence.
Why is this important?
When athletes are involved in their own learning process, they feel more responsible and motivated to learn. This also promotes their problem-solving skills.
How do you do that?
Ask questions: Ask athletes what they think they can improve or how they might approach a particular exercise differently. This can be as simple as, “What else do you think you can do to make this jump better?”
Encourage self-reflection: Have them think about what they learned after a training. For example, ask, “What did you like most about today's training?”
Provide choices: Let athletes choose from different exercises or game formats. This gives them a sense of control and involvement.
Skills and Attributes
As a sports coach, you need more than just knowledge of sports. You also need to develop various skills and characteristics to guide your athletes well. By developing the right skills, you can ensure that you are a positive, safe and effective coach who gets the best out of your athletes. Below are some important skills and characteristics, explained with examples.
Communication skills
Good communication is essential for a sports coach. You need to clearly explain what you expect from your athletes and motivate them in a positive way. This means that you need to be able to communicate effectively both verbally (what you say) and non-verbally (your body language).
Example: During a training, you clearly explain how an exercise should be performed. If a child does not understand it well, you remain patient and try to explain it in a different way, for example by demonstrating it.
Leadership
As a trainer, you are the one who keeps an overview and gives direction to the group. This means that you have to make decisions, give structure to the training, and create a positive atmosphere in which everyone feels comfortable.
Example: You start the lesson with a clear explanation of what is going to be done, and make sure everyone knows what to do. You make sure there is a good balance between fun and discipline, so the lesson runs smoothly.
Adaptability
No two athletes are the same. Whether you are working with beginners or advanced athletes, young children or adults, you need to be able to adapt your approach and exercises to the different levels and needs of your athletes.
Example: During a lesson, you see that a few children are having trouble with an exercise. Instead of repeating the exercise over and over, you adapt it so that it is doable for everyone.
Empathy
Empathy means that you can relate to your athletes. You understand how they feel and know how to support them, especially when they are insecure, struggling or need extra help.
Example: A child is frustrated because he or she cannot catch a ball. Instead of getting angry, talk to the child calmly and tell him or her that making mistakes is part of the game. You encourage him or her to try again.
Organizational skills
A good sports lesson requires preparation and organization. You need to plan your lesson well, have the right materials ready, and make sure the lesson is structured. This prevents chaos and ensures that everyone knows what is expected of them.
Example: For a soccer training session, you not only prepare the exercises, but you also make sure that the goals are ready, the balls are inflated, and there is enough space to train safely.
Problem solving skills
During training, anything can happen: a child falls, the equipment does not work as expected, or there is confusion about an exercise. As a trainer, you have to be able to switch quickly and come up with a solution.
Example: The ball keeps rolling away during a drill. Instead of wasting time, quickly get cones to create a cordoned off area so the ball stays within reach.
Motivation and inspiration
A good sports coach can motivate his athletes to do their best, even when things get tough. You have to radiate enthusiasm and inspire others to persevere and enjoy what they do.
Example: If a team loses a game, tell them that they can be proud of their efforts. You help them learn from the loss and motivate them to come back stronger next time.
Patience
Athletes learn at their own pace, and sometimes it can take longer to master a skill. Patience is important, because not every athlete will immediately understand what you are asking of them.
Example: During a training you have to explain an exercise repeatedly. Instead of getting frustrated, stay calm and take the time to explain it step by step.
Safety and responsibility
As a coach, you are responsible for the safety of your athletes. You must pay attention to their physical and mental well-being and ensure that they do not take unnecessary risks during sports.
Example: Before practice begins, check the field or gym to make sure there are no obstacles or dangerous spots that children could trip over.
Knowledge of sports
Of course it is also important that you know the sport you teach well. You need to know not only how to explain the techniques and tactics, but also how to adapt them to different levels.
Example: If you're teaching basketball, you not only explain how to dribble a ball, but you also give tips on how to improve the movement for someone who is struggling.