Coaches typically come from one of two paths. They were either an athlete themselves at one point in time or never quite possessed the athletic abilities needed to compete at a high level but always had the passion. I most certainly fall into the latter category. So how does an individual break into high performance sport as a coach with not having been there as an athlete?
This four step process was introduced to me by my mentor and Altis Performance Director Stu McMillan as a compass of sorts leading to continued development as a coach. It highlights the process of becoming a successful coach through finding a mentor and partaking in an apprenticeship.
Recognize
The first phase is to recognize leaders, experts, and pioneers in the field. This is no small task in our information-laden modern world. With platforms such as Twitter and Facebook that give a voice to anyone looking for an audience, it is difficult to decipher between who talks the talk and who walks the walk. Now, I am not saying that being afforded the opportunity to have a voice via social media is necessarily a bad thing. Many beneficial connections and discussions as well as a plethora of information are all available at your fingertips. That being said, it can all be terribly overwhelming and it is difficult to separate the cream from the crop.
Analyze
Now that you have identified an individual as a leader in the field it is time to analyze their work. Uncover any resources you can possibly find. Talk with athletes they have coached and colleagues they have worked alongside. Reach out to them. Email them. If possible, visit them and observe their work first hand. Bug the hell out of them. Gain as much understanding of their methods and philosophies as you can.
This phase explains my current situation at Altis. I have recognized Dan Pfaff and Stuart McMillan as leaders in the field. I am now in a position to work alongside them, learn from them, and study their methodologies and practices.
Experiment
Once you feel you have a solid foundation on which to build upon, it is time to experiment. Find athletes to work with. Recruit your friends and family if you need to. Begin to implement the program you have learned and studied. In her book, Mastermind, Maria Konnikova states, “Education is all well and good, but it needs to be taken from the level of theory to that of practice, over and over and over.” Within this step you will start to take control and your transformation as a coach will commence.
Synthesize and Reflect
Once you have spent some time within the Experiment phase it is imperative that you reflect on your experiences and begin the process of synthesizing your own methods and philosophies. Do not try to be entirely the same coach as your mentor(s). Your environment, circumstances, resources, abilities, and style will differ. Create something unique to you.
It is important to note that you do not progress through these stages in a linear fashion. There is nothing neat and orderly about life. You will bounce between phases and spend varying amounts of time in each one. You will make multiple cycles through each stage. It is an organic process that should have no clear cut ending and beginning.