Roles, Responsibilities and Characteristics of a Coach - Shorter Version

In present day society there are many characteristics, personality traits and responsibilities that an individual must interconnect, balance and perfect if they are going to fulfil their full potential as a coach and provide their players with the highest level of guidance possible. Many assume that a great coach is great because they have all in-depth technical knowledge and the ability to spot and rectify faults. The technical knowledge and other occupational requirements are important and they are the qualities instantly analysed when observing a coach. However these qualities are only the tip of the ice berg, with many others not instantly visible. The coach will also possess personal traits that compliment their occupational attributes, resulting in a greater coaching performance. The major qualities in each category are discussed below:

Personal

The majority of individuals can be taught to coach. The time and effort taken to learn the technical knowledge will vary but everyone can improve their coaching up to a certain level. However it is their personal characteristics that will decide whether players will relate to them in the first place. If their persona is correct then it will lead to greater player reaction (up to a certain ability level). Therefore an appropriate place to start would be by analysing the personal characteristics an individual should posses as the foundations regardless what level they are coaching at.

• A Good Communicator
• Open-Minded
• Fairness and Equality
• Patient
• Approachable

The coach should be able to interact with the player so that they are capable of aiding them as an individual and as a performer, some topics may include;

This is by no means an exhausted list and does not even touch all the personal qualities that combine to determine the success of a coach. Others that can be added to the list include; Caring, sense of humour, supportive, honest, respectful and understanding.

Occupational

The personal qualities of an individual only forms the basis for their potential coaching ability. They then need to possess some qualities key for the occupation of coaching. The standard of these qualities, in conjunction with those outlined previously, will determine the ability of the coach to what level they are able to progress.

• Organised
• Responsible and Reliable
• Positive
• Presentable
• Knowledgeable

There are a number of roles that coaches are not only required, but expected, to undertake. To fulfill them all entails the ability to balance the majority, if not all, of the characteristics that have been outlined so far.

In addition to their main role of conveying information regarding improving their technical and tactical ability the other functions a coach have is to act as a:

• Fitness Trainer
• Social Worker
• Motivator
• Role Model
• Friend
• Disciplinarian Manager
  Organiser

Many coaches fail to realise the range of roles they have and the degree of importance that each one has.

Through the combination of a coaches characteristics and roles it is possible to create a list of the key responsibilities of a coach.

• To educate players through communicating ideas and concepts
• To improve players technical ability by applying knowledge and skills
• Promote fair play and laws of the game
• Gain trust of players, parents and fellow employees
• Establish and outline realistic goals and objectives
• Continually learn
• Delivering and controlling sessions in an organised, effective and, most importantly, safe manner

The occupation of coaching may now seem a daunting task as there is so many separate requirements and requests being made on the coach. In spite of this every coach is different and each will have their own personal and occupational traits that will allow them to effectively complete their duties. There will also exist areas for improvement but with guidance and educating these weaknesses can be overcome. Not only is each coach different, the teams and clubs worked with can be completely diverse, and as a result each will require the coach to adapt their approach and employ the best techniques possible to meet their needs.