Coaching: a realistic perspective

Coaches, athletes, and ethics

Welcome to the coaching profession

Special relationships

Desirable qualities of a coach

The roles of a head coach

The assistant coach

Considerations for married coaches, families and single coaches

The recruiting process

Off-season planning

Final preparation for the season

Issues, problems and concerns in athletics

Coaching points.

1. Coaches, athletes, and ethics

Ethical standards

Ethical dilemmas

Professional ethics

Recruiting ethics.

2. Welcome to the coaching profession

Perceptions of high school athletics

Is coaching the career for you?

Considerations in the life of a coach

Applying for a coaching position

Points of decision in your professional career.

3. Special relationships

Administration

Faculty

Other coaches

Athletes

Parents

Assistant coaches

Band director

Guidance counselors

Custodians

School secretaries

Members of the community

Members of the press

Athletic equipment salesperson

Cheerleaders

Critics.

4. Desirable qualities of a coach

Transparent realism

Ability to organize

Ability to motivate

Dedication

Willingness to make hard choices / decisions

Ability to discipline

Ability to identify goals

Ability to recognize athletic talent

Ability to use available talent

Desire to win

Dislike of mediocrity

Ability to reason

Interest in individuals

Respect

Enthusiasm

Willingness to work

Knowledge of the sport

Understanding boys and girls

Knowing what makes the difference between winning and losing

Ability to foster pride

Proper use of language

Moral standards

Honesty

Dignity

Courage of your convictions

Ethical standards

Good judgement

Consistency

Fairness

Imagination

Sense of humor

Having a plan for everything.

5. The roles of a head coach

Teacher

Disciplinarian

Salesperson

Public relations expert

Guidance counselor

Diplomat

Organizer

Detective

Psychologist

Judge and jury

Leader

Mother figure / father figure

Dictator

Politician

Actor

Fund raiser

Chief executive

Equipment manager

Trainer

Citizen of the community

Citizen of the school.

6. The assistant coach

Philosophical differences

Applying for the job

Desirable qualities of an assistant coach.

7. Considerations for married coaches, families, and single coaches

A comparison of male and female married coaches

The married female coach

The married male coach

The single coach.

8. The recruiting process

Dealing with recruiters

Advising students

Illegal recruiting.

9. Off-season planning

Evaluating the past season

Conducting an equipment inventory

Preparing a budget

Purchasing equipment

Providing strength training

Choosing student helpers

Preparing a checklist for required paperwork

Establishing practice times

Dealing with family vacations

Meeting with prospective players

Corresponding with players and parents

Conducting a parent clinic

Arranging for medical care at athletic events

Staff clinic

Organizing your staff

Issuing equipment

Ordering mouth guards

Arranging for classrooms

Briefing the Athletic Director

Creating player notebooks

A coach's checklist

Selecting team captains

Planning a media day

Working with custodians

Planning preseason practice games/meets/events

Scheduling athletic banquets

The first team meeting

Team clinic.

10. Final preparation for the season

Staff meetings

Goals

Staff clinic

Coaching assignments

Practice procedures and policies

Training rules

Discipline

Conduct of players and coaches

Coaches' personal appearance

Scouting assignments

Cutting players

Travel conduct

Student helpers

Pregame and postgame procedures

Pep rallies

Awards / trophies

Drills

Practice plans

Picking the team

Written tests

Team meeting.

11. Issues, problems, and concerns in athletics

Parents of athletes

Attitude of athletes

Part-time coaches

Drugs

Eating disorders

Blood-related injuries

Booster Clubs

Men coaching girls' and women's teams

Players quitting

Specialization

Religion

Crown control / behavior

Youth sports programs

Officials at athletic events

Title IX: equity

Legal liability

Emphasis on winning

Conflict with an administrator

Stress and burnout.

12. Coaching points

Appendix A: Tournament scheduling

Appendix B: Thirty rules for getting things done through people

Appendix C: Twelve points of successful leadership

Appendix D: Parents' expectations of coaches: a questionnaire

Appendix E: Players' expectations of coaches: a questionnaire

Appendix F: Sample practice plans.