Advice from a coach of almost 30 years : kids steal - a lot . Doesn’t matter if it’s a $1000 I phone or a pack of gum . Put it down for a second and it will disappear .
Advice from a coach of almost 30 years : kids steal - a lot . Doesn’t matter if it’s a $1000 I phone or a pack of gum . Put it down for a second and it will disappear .
otter wrote:
You are young. Do not get chummy and friendly with the kids. You are not their friend. No hug policy. Be careful with this. Avoid spending time alone with any of them. Do not give rides home to anyone. Fewer people will believe an accusation if you are known to never be alone with an athlete. I am very close to my athletes but they all know there is no such thing as alone time with them.
Never allow non-screened adults to work or run with the kids. Ever. I would strongly urge you to take the safesport course on-line.
You have to back up the head coach. If you think what he/she is doing is horrible and the coach is not willing to talk it over with you and adjust it's probably not going to work out.
Do not undermine/question the head coach in front of the kids. Ever. You are like two parents united.
You need a positive attitude. Be the most positive person on the team. Call out kids in private with the other coach (never have a serious conversation alone) when they are very negative.
Yes, there are kids there who will not be completely into it. Let them know that you expect them to show, and try.
Be visibly confident in their potential even if you are not secretly. After a while you will be surprised when someone does something you thought was not possible for them. It happens with several of my athletes every year.
I have seen individuals and teams do really well when they believe in what they are doing and when they have a positive attitude.
Help to create an environment where the kids do not want to be anywhere else. I know when I am doing a good job with this when kids get angry at their parents for scheduling appointments and even family vacations. My athletes train hard but we are always doing fun things. They never want to miss something.
Develop a good open line of communication with the parents but be firm in a nice way that they are not there to coach the team. They are there for support. The more successful your team is, the more they will try to take ownership.
Notice how I have not mentioned training yet? It is such a small easier part of what you will do believe it or not.
This is all excellent advice.
-Another HS coach
UmbrellaMans wrote:
I’m going to be the assistant coach at a high school in the fall. What do I need to know?
1) Do some self-reflection on what your values are when it comes to coaching. List those values; then list what actions you do that exhibit those values. Read less about training plans and more about coaching. Visit Changing the Game Project; get John's book Every Moment Matters. Talk to the head coach about coaching philosophy (NOT training philosophy!).
2) Focus on mastery and not results. Focus on each kid getting better; avoid comparisons between kids. They will do enough of this. If every kid is faster at the end of the year and healthy, you have accomplished a lot.
3) Coach every kid--that kid struggling at the back as a freshman could be scoring points by the end of the season or later
4) Get to know each kid besides his/her PRs
5) Instill a love of running by avoiding being a horse's rear about times and winning.
6) Have a goal to have all the kids come back next year. (Never be a kid's last coach is a great goal to have).
7) Go to iCoachkids.eu and take the MOOCs (they are free and VERY good). You will learn nothing about energy systems, but you will learn about being a coach. (While some of it might be youth focused I think the lessons can apply to high schoolers too).
UmbrellaMans wrote:
Mtn Dew wrote:
Understand that you'll have kids that aren't as passionate as you are.
This is what everyone keeps telling me. it’s going to be infuriating
Then you might want to reconsider coaching.
Maybe talk with those kids and find a way to reach them. They may never be top 7 but if 20 years from now they are still running then you did something good (or take back up running).
macdaddy wrote:
coach wrote:
You're the assistant, your job is to support your head coach and help motivate the kids.
Yup. An assistant role is awesome - you're essentially getting paid to train and be passionate about a sport.
If you have good ideas, run them by the head coach and let him/her decide.
Don't be a weirdo and you'll be fine.
ya. being an assistant is awesome. i often wish i was still in that position. but then i remember not getting to put athletes where i want them and think they should be. I remember not being able to give them the training plan i thought would work so well for them. I remember being the right hand man to somebody who i thought i could do a much better job then.
Realize this may happen to you op. The head coach is the boss. Fill in gaps where you can. Do not undermine them. Do a great job. Go above and beyond. Someday a program may be yours. And before that, maybe you will be put in charge of a group. DO whatever you can to enjoy it all, and show that you are enjoying it all, even when you are not.
EZ10Miler wrote:
Man if you are 22 and you are going to coaching HS girls you walking on a bed of hot coals with gasoline soaked underwear. BE VERY VERY CAREFUL or you will end up on the news and possibly in jail.
Good luck.
yeahhhh gonna keep my distance from the girls. it doesn't help that i am very handsome
Luv2Run wrote:
1) Do some self-reflection on what your values are when it comes to coaching. List those values; then list what actions you do that exhibit those values. Read less about training plans and more about coaching. Visit Changing the Game Project; get John's book Every Moment Matters. Talk to the head coach about coaching philosophy (NOT training philosophy!).
2) Focus on mastery and not results. Focus on each kid getting better; avoid comparisons between kids. They will do enough of this. If every kid is faster at the end of the year and healthy, you have accomplished a lot.
3) Coach every kid--that kid struggling at the back as a freshman could be scoring points by the end of the season or later
4) Get to know each kid besides his/her PRs
5) Instill a love of running by avoiding being a horse's rear about times and winning.
6) Have a goal to have all the kids come back next year. (Never be a kid's last coach is a great goal to have).
7) Go to iCoachkids.eu and take the MOOCs (they are free and VERY good). You will learn nothing about energy systems, but you will learn about being a coach. (While some of it might be youth focused I think the lessons can apply to high schoolers too).
This is some good advice and I think I will do a pretty good job of coaching every kid. I was very slow my freshman year of high school (26:00 for 5k) and improved a lot. I definitely won't write anyone off just because they aren't naturally talented.
i'll go to that website too. i'm actually taking a college course on coaching right now and am getting to here a bunch of different views on coaching.
UmbrellaMans Laptop wrote:
EZ10Miler wrote:
Man if you are 22 and you are going to coaching HS girls you walking on a bed of hot coals with gasoline soaked underwear. BE VERY VERY CAREFUL or you will end up on the news and possibly in jail.
Good luck.
yeahhhh gonna keep my distance from the girls. it doesn't help that i am very handsome
And also very humble! ?
Don't touch anyone
Luv2Run wrote:
UmbrellaMans wrote:
This is what everyone keeps telling me. it’s going to be infuriating
Then you might want to reconsider coaching.
Maybe talk with those kids and find a way to reach them. They may never be top 7 but if 20 years from now they are still running then you did something good (or take back up running).
This X1000. I’ve coached for a long time. If infuriating is even in your vocabulary you don’t have the temperament to coach period. Some of your most passionate and dedicated kids will not come across that way. You may be getting angry with your most dedicated runners and as you may already know, the more talented they are the less they want to work hard. Keep high standards, don’t bend. Either they meet the standards or they don’t. That’s how you weed out the non-interested. The old adage in sports truly applies. Make your workouts really hard so if someone wants to quit they quit at practice not in competition. But getting frustrated with, yelling at, or lecturing kids on loving the sport will only alienate all of them and they’ll resent you.
EZ10Miler wrote:
Man if you are 22 and you are going to coaching HS girls you walking on a bed of hot coals with gasoline soaked underwear. BE VERY VERY CAREFUL or you will end up on the news and possibly in jail.
Good luck.
Isn't it sad that the most common advice on here is to tell the new coach to stay away from the girls? Are you all that jaded?
Hot Stuff wrote:
Isn't it sad that the most common advice on here is to tell the new coach to stay away from the girls? Are you all that jaded?
He doesn't have to stay away from the girls nor should he but he does have to learn how to act properly around them (and the boys also) as a parent figure. This can be a very difficult thing for a 22 year old to do who has never been in that role.
You have to be able to understand the power dynamic which has nothing to do with anyone's age and never crossing that line because of that.
If he acts appropriately and is careful he will have little to worry about. If he is giving rides to athletes, going on runs with individuals outside of practice, driving them to and from meets, etc. , I don't care what his motivation is. That is a red flag to anyone who is educated about the grooming process of a predator even if his intentions are good. That's why I suggested he takes the safe-sport course on-line which is excellent. Here is an outline of what is covered:
https://uscenterforsafesport.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SafeSport-Trained-Course-outline.pdf+1 to the poster saying to stay away from social media with the kids. That is a disaster. Also, keep your own personal social media clean. I have passed over quite a few assistant coaches when I checked their social media and found vulgar comments because the parents will also see that and it is a reflection of character. As a coach you should keep yourself to a higher standard than others.
Hot Stuff wrote:
EZ10Miler wrote:
Man if you are 22 and you are going to coaching HS girls you walking on a bed of hot coals with gasoline soaked underwear. BE VERY VERY CAREFUL or you will end up on the news and possibly in jail.
Good luck.
Isn't it sad that the most common advice on here is to tell the new coach to stay away from the girls? Are you all that jaded?
America is just prudish, we really shouldn't bother with what happens in other's lives.
Det burde ikk være sådan her wrote:
America is just prudish, we really shouldn't bother with what happens in other's lives.
Hopefully you are not a coach or anywhere near children in whatever crappy country you live in.
UmbrellaMans Laptop wrote:
EZ10Miler wrote:
Man if you are 22 and you are going to coaching HS girls you walking on a bed of hot coals with gasoline soaked underwear. BE VERY VERY CAREFUL or you will end up on the news and possibly in jail.
Good luck.
yeahhhh gonna keep my distance from the girls. it doesn't help that i am very handsome
Between this and the comments on being "infuriated" at kids already, I'm going to hope this is a troll post. If it's not, you might want to reconsider your new position.
The advice by otter and Luv2Run are very spot on. As are any that say your role is support the head coach and all of the kids.
A few little tips, some of which have already been stated.
Be helpful. Support your head coach with whatever they ask. If what they ask is dumb (this may be the case based on the one training example you gave), help to improve it. "Approve or improve."
Openly communicate big concerns with the head coach before talking with kids or parents.
Don't handle any team social media or phone communication.
Motivate ALL of the kids and celebrate their successes. Sure, you may find yourself with easier kids to motivate at the top or more obvious success there, but you never know what a positive comment to a 26 minute kid or a confused freshman might do to help them down the line.
Watch the way successful coaches in your area interact with their teams and find what works for yours.
Read and educate yourself - yes on training, but more so on culture, teams, and coaching. This does NOT have to be running specific.
Basically, be a cheerleader for your kids to motivate and be a support to your head coach.
This is the best reply by far!! Good stuff! I will add a few things: * As an assistant, I've always felt like my role was to be the supportive and encouraging voice. If the HC is yelling, "You guys are a bunch of slackers. You're running like crap." Then you can quietly add things like, "I know you guys are strong enough to do this workout. Let's focus a little more." * You can never give too many high fives, fist bumps, or words of encouragement. * Every kid is their own person with a life outside of practice. Family situations, school, relationships, and many other stresses play a role in how that kid feels and acts at practice. Be kind, respectful, and empathetic. Always. * Watch, observe, listen, be objective. Every runner can teach you something. * Set a good example in both words and actions.
Luv2Run wrote:
UmbrellaMans wrote:
I’m going to be the assistant coach at a high school in the fall. What do I need to know?
1) Do some self-reflection on what your values are when it comes to coaching. List those values; then list what actions you do that exhibit those values. Read less about training plans and more about coaching. Visit Changing the Game Project; get John's book Every Moment Matters. Talk to the head coach about coaching philosophy (NOT training philosophy!).
2) Focus on mastery and not results. Focus on each kid getting better; avoid comparisons between kids. They will do enough of this. If every kid is faster at the end of the year and healthy, you have accomplished a lot.
3) Coach every kid--that kid struggling at the back as a freshman could be scoring points by the end of the season or later
4) Get to know each kid besides his/her PRs
5) Instill a love of running by avoiding being a horse's rear about times and winning.
6) Have a goal to have all the kids come back next year. (Never be a kid's last coach is a great goal to have).
7) Go to iCoachkids.eu and take the MOOCs (they are free and VERY good). You will learn nothing about energy systems, but you will learn about being a coach. (While some of it might be youth focused I think the lessons can apply to high schoolers too).
bruce denton's gold medal wrote:
Between this and the comments on being "infuriated" at kids already, I'm going to hope this is a troll post.
It might very well be a troll post but there is some information as you had said. Hopefully someone who is considering a coaching position will have a look at this.
What surprises me more often than not is how few athletic directors actually cover these subject areas prior to hiring. If they did, it would make their lives a lot easier.
UmbrellaMans Laptop wrote:
otter wrote:
What sport?
Girls Team?
Boys Team?
Both?
Your age?
Ever coached at any level before?
Any teaching experience?
XC
Yes
22
No
No
Hiring a 22 year old male to coach girls XC shows a head coach that has a lack of experience or has his head in the sand. I will never ever ever ever hire another male assistant coach under 30 unless they are married or gay. The amount of 20-something coaches that have slept with their athletes before they graduated or within days after would shock a LOT of people. It happens ALL THE TIME.
the option wrote:
UmbrellaMans Laptop wrote:
XC
Yes
22
No
No
Hiring a 22 year old male to coach girls XC shows a head coach that has a lack of experience or has his head in the sand. I will never ever ever ever hire another male assistant coach under 30 unless they are married or gay. The amount of 20-something coaches that have slept with their athletes before they graduated or within days after would shock a LOT of people. It happens ALL THE TIME.
True. Stay out of the domestic side of things. Strictly professional. Do not even end up alone with them.
You might not have thought it through, besides the laws, picture the subordinate's perspective. Once something has happened, they have no choice except to cater to unethical expectations around the superior because he or she has power to affect the subordinate's career.
the option wrote:
UmbrellaMans Laptop wrote:
XC
Yes
22
No
No
Hiring a 22 year old male to coach girls XC shows a head coach that has a lack of experience or has his head in the sand. I will never ever ever ever hire another male assistant coach under 30 unless they are married or gay. The amount of 20-something coaches that have slept with their athletes before they graduated or within days after would shock a LOT of people. It happens ALL THE TIME.
I started assistant coaching boys and girls when I was 19. I'm in my mid 20s now and have had zero issues. I made sure to follow the advice they give at the USATF coaching school and other coaches and made sure that nothing I ever said or did with any kids on the team could be viewed as questionable. I think for most people getting into coaching, they're there to coach. Not for anything else.
Looking back though, I sometimes wonder if this made it seem like I had something against the girls team as I was always more cautious with what I said/did around them.