Developing a Coaching Philosophy

Introduction

Steve Mergelsberg explains how to develop your coaching philosophy.

As a new and inexperienced coach, you have much to prepare for in your first season. Of course, you are excited and eager about your first head coaching position. You most likely have planned what you are going to do and believe that you are ready. But are you truly prepared? Have you thought about the why's and how's of everything you will do as a coach? It is crucial as you get started in coaching to develop a philosophy. For that matter, even experienced coaches may want to re-evaluate their philosophy.

Many coaches do not believe in the value of developing a coaching philosophy. They do not realize how philosophy can have an impact on their daily coaching procedures and strategies. However, a coach's philosophy is a practical matter. Whether he's aware of it or not, every coach follows certain principles based on his playing experience. Most of our basic philosophy comes from former high school and college coaches. This is a natural start because it is the approach with which we are most familiar and comfortable.

It is also reasonable to assume that the philosophy of a person's everyday life, thinking, and actions would be applied when it comes to coaching. For example, a salesman discovers that one of his clients is dishonest. He decides to sell to a competitor, although he will make less profit selling the same product. This may not sound like good business practice, yet many people are willing to adhere to their principles even if it means making less money. How many coaches would stick to principles of sportsmanship or fair play rather than win the game? There may be a gap between what a coach thinks is the right thing to do in everyday life and his actions on the field or court.

In your effort to form or analyse your coaching philosophy, first, know what a coach is. A coach can be many things to many different people. A coach is a mentor, a teacher, a role model, and sometimes a friend. Most of all, a coach must be positive. A positive coach has the following traits:

Puts players first

A positive coach wants to win but understands that he is an educator first. The development of his players is his top priority. He avoids thinking that the game is about himself rather than his players. He must have an unwavering commitment to what is best for the athletes.

Develops character and skills

A coach seizes upon victories and defeats as teaching moments to build on self-confidence and positive character traits such as discipline, self-motivation, self-worth, and an excitement for life. The desire to see the athlete learn and effectively improve his skill is the key to an effective coaching program.

Sets realistic goals

He focuses on effort rather than the outcome. He sets standards of continuous learning and improvement for the athletes. He encourages and inspires the athletes to strive to get better without threatening them through fear, intimidation, or shame regardless of their skill levels. Creates a partnership with the players A positive coach involves the team members in determining team rules and recognizes that communication is crucial to building effective relationships with players. He develops appropriate relationships with the players based on respect, caring, and character.

Treasures the game

A positive coach feels an obligation to the sport he coaches. He loves the sport and shares that love and enjoyment with the athletes. He respects opponents, recognizing that a worthy opponent will push his team to do its best. There is not a level, whereas a coach, you cease teaching the game. As long as you teach, teach positively. You will produce the best players and, ultimately, the best results.

It is imperative to develop philosophy with the following in mind:

Your approach should be educationally sound

Your drills should serve a purpose and not be used merely for "killing" time. They should be structured to provide the necessary repetitions for each athlete and relative to the athlete's ability level.

Your approach should be appropriate for your players.

You may learn a lot of new offences and defences, and they may be excellent systems, but are they suited to your players? Use an approach that is developmentally appropriate for your players.

Your philosophy must be ethical

In basketball, for example, many coaches instruct players to fake an injury to stop the clock. This is unethical. Consider what you do in all aspects of coaching. Coaching from an ethical standpoint is extremely important. Remember, you are a role model for your players.

Stick to your philosophy

Most coaches, especially at the high school level, have to develop the talent on hand. There may be some years in which the athletes may not possess the ability or skill to fit into your philosophy. You cannot change the players, but you can alter your approach.

Is there a better way of doing what you are doing?

Apply this question to all aspects of your coaching philosophy as it affects the offence, defence, motivation, etc. Keep an open mind. Learning should be a life-long pursuit, and this should apply to your coaching philosophy.

Explain why you do the things you do

To instruct and motivate your athletes, you have to justify what you do. Can you? You need to be able to do so. The days of just saying, "Well, this is the way we are going to do it," are long gone. There is no way that you can justify anything associated with your program or team to athletes and parents without an explanation.

Your coaching philosophy should be compatible with your personality

Are you a risk-taker? Are you patient or impatient? Are you deliberate or aggressive? You will be more successful if your philosophy and personality are in sync.

Sportsmanlike conduct should be a top priority in your philosophy

There are situations in some games that could be considered unsportsmanlike by opponents, officials, or fans. Running up the score, playing starters long after the outcome has been determined, and taunting is just a few examples. If any of these are tolerated within your approach to coaching, you may need to make some changes. After considering the factors, I have mentioned, develop your philosophy by putting it into written form. It is essential to express and explain your approach to athletes, parents, and supervisors. A written document can also give you something concrete to re-examine and to evaluate annually. I have included my "Personal Coaching Philosophy" for you to examine.

Personal Coaching Philosophy

Coaching is much more than just following a set of principles or having a well-established program. Coaching is an interaction in young people's lives. The athlete who comes into the weight room is a student, a family member, and a friend to someone. He is the same person in all areas of his life - they have the same personality, ideals, character, flaws, and struggles. The coach's responsibility is to help his players make suitable and mature decisions in all areas of their lives. He must help them develop character, discipline, self-motivation, self-worth, and an excitement for life. To achieve these objectives, the coach must raise the standards that the players and others around them have set. Then he must help them reach those standards by developing appropriate relationships with them based on respect, caring, and character. When character development is the foundation for your program, athletes will get the most out of their athletic experience. And when that happens, you will also get the most out of your athletes, for this is what champions are made of.

The most successful coaches are not necessarily the ones who win the most games. Coaches who have successful experiences focus on team cohesion. The desire to see the athlete learn and improve his skill is the key to an effective coaching program. I am committed to using all of my knowledge, abilities, and resources to make each player on my team successful. My focus is to promote an atmosphere of teamwork, mutual respect, and commitment. By achieving this, we will be successful, and we will also win.

Page Reference

If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:

MERGELSBERG, S. (2007) Developing a Coaching Philosophy [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article007.htm [Accessed

About the Author

Steve Mergelsberg is a Basketball coach in the USA and has 25 years of experience on the professional, college and interscholastic levels. This article has been produced here with his kind permission.


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As a new and inexperienced coach, you have much to prepare for in your first season. Of course, you are excited and eager about your first head coaching position. You most likely have planned what you are going to do and believe that you are ready. But are you truly prepared? Have you thought about the why's and how's of everything you will do as a coach? It is crucial as you get started in coaching to develop a philosophy. For that matter, even experienced coaches may want to re-evaluate their philosophy. Many coaches do not believe in the value of developing a coaching philosophy. They do not realize how philosophy can have an impact on their daily coaching procedures and strategies. However, a coach's philosophy is a practical matter. Whether he's aware of it or not, every coach follows certain principles based on his playing experience. Most of our basic philosophy comes from former high school and college coaches. This is a natural start because it is the approach with which we are most familiar and comfortable. It is also reasonable to assume that the philosophy of a person's everyday life, thinking, and actions would be applied when it comes to coaching. For example, a salesman discovers that one of his clients is dishonest. He decides to sell to a competitor, although he will make less profit selling the same product. This may not sound like good business practice, yet many people are willing to adhere to their principles even if it means making less money. How many coaches would stick to principles of sportsmanship or fair play rather than win the game? There may be a gap between what a coach thinks is the right thing to do in everyday life and his actions on the field or court. In your effort to form or analyse your coaching philosophy, first, know what a coach is. A coach can be many things to many different people. A coach is a mentor, a teacher, a role model, and sometimes a friend. Most of all, a coach must be positive. A positive coach has the following traits: Puts players first A positive coach wants to win but understands that he is an educator first. The development of his players is his top priority. He avoids thinking that the game is about himself rather than his players. He must have an unwavering commitment to what is best for the athletes. Develops character and skills A coach seizes upon victories and defeats as teaching moments to build on self-confidence and positive character traits such as discipline, self-motivation, self-worth, and an excitement for life. The desire to see the athlete learn and effectively improve his skill is the key to an effective coaching program. Sets realistic goals He focuses on effort rather than the outcome. He sets standards of continuous learning and improvement for the athletes. He encourages and inspires the athletes to strive to get better without threatening them through fear, intimidation, or shame regardless of their skill levels. Creates a partnership with the players A positive coach involves the team members in determining team rules and recognizes that communication is crucial to building effective relationships with players. He develops appropriate relationships with the players based on respect, caring, and character. Treasures the game A positive coach feels an obligation to the sport he coaches. He loves the sport and shares that love and enjoyment with the athletes. He respects opponents, recognizing that a worthy opponent will push his team to do its best. There is not a level, whereas a coach, you cease teaching the game. As long as you teach, teach positively. You will produce the best players and, ultimately, the best results. It is imperative to develop philosophy with the following in mind: Your approach should be educationally sound Your drills should serve a purpose and not be used merely for "killing" time. They should be structured to provide the necessary repetitions for each athlete and relative to the athlete's ability level. Your approach should be appropriate for your players. You may learn a lot of new offences and defences, and they may be excellent systems, but are they suited to your players? Use an approach that is developmentally appropriate for your players. Your philosophy must be ethical In basketball, for example, many coaches instruct players to fake an injury to stop the clock. This is unethical. Consider what you do in all aspects of coaching. Coaching from an ethical standpoint is extremely important. Remember, you are a role model for your players. Stick to your philosophy Most coaches, especially at the high school level, have to develop the talent on hand. There may be some years in which the athletes may not possess the ability or skill to fit into your philosophy. You cannot change the players, but you can alter your approach. Is there a better way of doing what you are doing? Apply this question to all aspects of your coaching philosophy as it affects the offence, defence, motivation, etc. Keep an open mind. Learning should be a life-long pursuit, and this should apply to your coaching philosophy. Explain why you do the things you do To instruct and motivate your athletes, you have to justify what you do. Can you? You need to be able to do so. The days of just saying, "Well, this is the way we are going to do it," are long gone. There is no way that you can justify anything associated with your program or team to athletes and parents without an explanation. Your coaching philosophy should be compatible with your personality Are you a risk-taker? Are you patient or impatient? Are you deliberate or aggressive? You will be more successful if your philosophy and personality are in sync. Sportsmanlike conduct should be a top priority in your philosophy There are situations in some games that could be considered unsportsmanlike by opponents, officials, or fans. Running up the score, playing starters long after the outcome has been determined, and taunting is just a few examples. If any of these are tolerated within your approach to coaching, you may need to make some changes. After considering the factors, I have mentioned, develop your philosophy by putting it into written form. It is essential to express and explain your approach to athletes, parents, and supervisors. A written document can also give you something concrete to re-examine and to evaluate annually. I have included my "Personal Coaching Philosophy" for you to examine. Personal Coaching Philosophy Coaching is much more than just following a set of principles or having a well-established program. Coaching is an interaction in young people's lives. The athlete who comes into the weight room is a student, a family member, and a friend to someone. He is the same person in all areas of his life - they have the same personality, ideals, character, flaws, and struggles. The coach's responsibility is to help his players make suitable and mature decisions in all areas of their lives. He must help them develop character, discipline, self-motivation, self-worth, and an excitement for life. To achieve these objectives, the coach must raise the standards that the players and others around them have set. Then he must help them reach those standards by developing appropriate relationships with them based on respect, caring, and character. When character development is the foundation for your program, athletes will get the most out of their athletic experience. And when that happens, you will also get the most out of your athletes, for this is what champions are made of. The most successful coaches are not necessarily the ones who win the most games. Coaches who have successful experiences focus on team cohesion. The desire to see the athlete learn and improve his skill is the key to an effective coaching program. I am committed to using all of my knowledge, abilities, and resources to make each player on my team successful. My focus is to promote an atmosphere of teamwork, mutual respect, and commitment. By achieving this, we will be successful, and we will also win. Page Reference If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is: MERGELSBERG, S. (2007) Developing a Coaching Philosophy [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article007.htm [Accessed About the Author Steve Mergelsberg is a Basketball coach in the USA and has 25 years of experience on the professional, college and interscholastic levels. This article has been produced here with his kind permission.