Knowledgeable; patient; a clear communicator. A motivator; leader; and planner. The qualities of a sports coach are diverse and a mix of hard and soft skills. In this article, we delve into the important role of a coach on the athlete and explore the qualities and skills that define a good coach in sports.
The role of a coach: beyond “instructing”
Coaches play a critical role in sports, imparting their knowledge of a sport to a player or a team of players. How that knowledge is shared makes all the difference to how it is received – and the best coaches are implementing a number of interrelated skills to see results.
Beyond just having certain qualities of a sports coach, there’s a vocational element to it too. The best coaches aren’t just instructors but care deeply about their players and success:
“In becoming coaches we accept a duty of care to help athletes become the very best they can be. That means empowering and protecting them in every sense of the word.” Sir Clive Woodward, OBE IOC Athletes’ Entourage Commission Member
Whether coaching at the elite level or kids’ sport on the weekend, the essential qualities of a good coach in sports are the same and can be just as impactful on a player and their success in sport.
What are the core skills of a good sports coach?
The International Olympic Committee shares ten qualities of a great sports coach:
- Understanding the sport
- Eagerness to learn
- Sharing knowledge
- Motivational skills
- Knowing the athlete
- Communication
- Listening skills
- Discipline
- Leading by example
- Commitment and passion
Some of these qualities are innate; some have to be learned. All in all, a passion for sport and a desire to share underlies all of these. Let’s look into these more deeply.
Hard skills of a sports coach
Hard skills are those linked to technical knowledge and training in a job. They are talents and abilities that can be measured and quantified – for example, a level one coaching badge, first aid qualification or 10 years experience playing a sport.
Knowledge & expertise in the chosen sport
A coach will bring specialised knowledge and experience to their coaching. They may have played the sport or umpired/refereed the sport to a high standard, or have a certain number of years experience coaching. They will be able to understand and write progressive curriculums that can contribute to long-term athlete development.
A soft skill that supports this hard skill is openness to continued learning. A good sports coach will keep up to date with the rules of the game, new tactics, new techniques and ways of continually improving the physical skills of their players.
Complementary knowledge
A good sports coach will develop skills or a network for referrals in the holistic development of their athletes. Physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition, strength and conditioning, sports psychology – these are not skills that a coach has to be an expert in, but should demonstrate an interest in and respect for.
Another skill or area of understanding a coach should have is of the guidelines and regulations governing how to coach – especially with children (e.g. safeguarding). Coaches should be knowledgeable of national professional standards for coaches, so that they provide safe and compliant coaching.
Soft skills (qualities) of a sports coach
Soft skills are like innate qualities – they are interpersonal skills that can be developed but not necessarily quantified or measured. These skills include:
Communication
Communication goes way beyond the inspiring team talks we see in the movies. Communication skills filter down into every interaction a coach has with their players. A coach has to be effective at communicating clearly and with purpose – to convey ideas and strategies, provide feedback, and build strong relationships within the sports team ecosystem.
Leadership and mentoring
A good coach leads by example, inspires confidence, and sets high standards for themselves and their team. They lead by example and are held in high esteem by their peers, players, and parents.
Beyond being a leader, a skill of a good coach is in mentoring their athletes and motivating them to reach potential, overcome challenges and focus on goals despite setbacks. Motivating others is a skill in itself that relies heavily on the next soft skill: empathy.
Empathy
One of the key skills for a sports coach according to the IOC is “knowing the athlete”. Understanding and empathising with their athletes’ emotions, strengths, and weaknesses helps coaches provide personalised support and create positive team environments where their charges can thrive.
Adapt & problem-solve
It’s half-time and your team is floundering out in the game – as a coach, the players are looking to you for the answer. Here, a sports coach will draw on two qualities: adaptability and problem-solving.
Sports environments are dynamic, so coaches must (quickly) adapt strategies, motivational speeches, and game plans based on the situation, opponent, and team dynamics. Injuries, conflicts, and performance issues require strong problem-solving skills to help find solutions and maintain team cohesion.
Planning skills
An important quality for a sports coach is being able to plan and organise their team (this may require drawing on the soft skills of adaptability and problem-solving).
With team sports especially, a good coach will be juggling competing priorities for multiple people – including session planning as part of a longer-term curriculum. Scheduling, planning, equipment sourcing, and just good old admin (boosted by communication skills) will all come under a coach’s remit.
Team Building
Fostering a sense of unity, trust, and camaraderie among team members contributes to a supportive and cohesive team environment. It takes insight and time to build your team dynamic; with emotions often running high in sports, these could dismantle quickly and disastrously. Team building facilitation and maintenance should not be overlooked.
Soft & hard skills combine to make a skilled and successful coach
In this article, we’ve explored the qualities of a good coach in sports. Coaches have an importanе and impactful role on their players and teams, which can be both inspiring and humbling. Great coaches recognise their value and accountability, maintain high ethical standards and strive for integrity.
Coaches who continually work on their hard and soft skills through ongoing education and professional development are positioning themselves for success. We encourage all current and aspiring coaches to continually develop these attributes and deepen their love for sport through coaching. Happy coaching!