What makes a great coach? I’m guessing if we polled each of you there would be significant variety in your answers. I’d also guess answers would show that coaching is a lot more than X’s and O’s…
In this week’s 3 Points, I’ll introduce coaching as a complex system, and how we may be able to shift our preparation to enhance performance.
1. Research suggests that expert coaching is composed of three core components:
Professional knowledge: This is typically what we think of when we think of coaching. Think tactical knowledge, X’s and O’s, and knowledge around skill development and recruiting. The authors of this study (and me) argue, “that professional knowledge alone is insufficient to become an effective coach.”
So what else is needed?
Interpersonal knowledge: Coaches don’t exist in a vacuum. They are a part of organizations and teams and their effectiveness relies on their interactions with players, coaches, administration, and parents. An effective coach is able to develop their interpersonal knowledge and utilize it so that they can communicate effectively with different people at different times. They know when individuals need challenge vs support.
Intrapersonal knowledge: How well do you understand yourself? Are you able to introspect and reflect? The authors of the study argue this is a critical competency for effective coaching. By honestly and courageously reflecting on one’s self, coaches are able to review and revise their coaching practice toward expertise.
2. High-performance coaching is a complex system:
I believe coaching is changing rapidly, particularly in NCAA athletics. Between the transfer portal, NIL, pressure to win, and concerns over student-athlete mental health, there is more now than ever on the plates of college coaches.
Traditionally, and I am simplifying, the role of the coach was primarily to practice plan, game plan, and motivate. Whether you agree with the conclusions of the research or not, I think we can all agree that there are multiple components outside of tactical acumen that go into effective coaching. If we begin to understand high-performance coaching as a system, then I believe we can prepare more effectively to coach our best.
3. A framework for coaching preparation:
What are the 3-5 inputs required for you to be a great coach? Meaning what are 3-5 most important things that you can invest your preparation time to be a great coach?
What you need to be at your best may be different, but after some thought here are the areas I would want to invest in to be at my best on game-day:
Tactical preparation (game planning, scouting, film review, etc.; Professional knowledge)
Recovery (sleep, exercise, fuel, etc.)
Mental fitness (More to come - think well-being and having a positive sense of how we feel, think, and act; Intrapersonal knowledge)
Relationships with players & staff (communicating and understanding the team around me; Interpersonal knowledge)
Work-life harmony (More to come - the ability to integrate work and non-work demands in a way that works for you)
When we understand performance as a complex system, we can begin to invest our time and energy into each input in the system. . This idea was introduced by Stuart McMillan, who suggests striving for a 7-8 out of 10 on each component. By building in flexibility, we can quiet the voice of insecurity that constantly tells us we need to prepare more, do more and be more. Further, if we are a 10/10 in one component then we are most likely lacking in another key component of coaching performance…
What makes up your system of high-performance coaching?