Coaching athletes at all levels calls for a variety of skills; depending on the support structure, the coach is likely to have to be motivator, technical expert, psychologist, bus driver, mentor, tutor, administrator and manager. Just to name a few.

When coaching a group of athletes, a coach might have to deal with varying levels of experience and ability as well as differing personalities. As the athletes in the group develop, the coach may have to change their coaching style to ensure continued success.

It seems that successful coaching of high-level athletes involves a much more consensual process than the do-as-I-say approach which may be used for beginners. High-level athletes need to have much more input into goal setting and the structure of training. They also need to be more responsible for regulating themselves.

Types of Coaching

• Direct
• Coach
• Support
• Delegate

Directing. Appropriate for athletes who have limited skills and need to be told specifically what to do. Constant feedback is required to allow such athletes  to gauge their progress.

Coaching. Needed when a person has certain skills, wants to train and can progress on certain tasks without supervision. Once they have reached a certain level, they need new challenges.

Support. Is for athletes who have some idea of what they want to do but may need help with the process. They are not as competent as they may think, so they might need guidance.

Delegation. Is for athletes who have reached a level of competence in their skills and have a clear idea of what they want to achieve. They want occasional feedback, but see themselves as partners rather than subordinates.

Situational leadership allows for the development of individuals to vary.  It allows coaches to tailor their coaching technique to a wide range of personalitys and skill level. The coach should create a healthy competitive environment that allows the athletes to succeed, breeding confidence and further success.

Coaches should remember to:

1. Plan. Plan the entire practice and pre game warm ups, including individual training sessions
2. Communicate. Communicate the plan clearly and regularly, and listen to what your players have to say
3. Involve the players. High-level athletes require more involvement in their own development than beginners.
4. Adapt. If things work well, do more of them, but if something isn’t working, change it. Having a plan does not preclude the need for flexibility.