The success of a team relies heavily on the performance of its coach. Just as it takes time and perseverance for the players to work together as a team, so too the ability of a coach to reach the individual players. The following roles are the beginning of the list of tasks required of any coach and are particularly relevant for netball coaching.
Planning and organisation
Careful planning and organisation is crucial to the successful outcome of each training session and subsequent game. Being prepared and organised will inspire confidence in your players that you have the ability to guide and direct them.
Training
As a coach you will need a sound knowledge of training principles and be able to prepare individual athletes to do their best as part of a team. In netball the main components of the game need to be reinforced at each training session and always allow time for warm up, footwork and ballwork.
Analysing performance
Analysing performance needs to be constant for individual players and the team, training and the game itself. Correction and improvement can only come after analysis to ensure continued growth and development.
Guidance
How to coach netball using guidance needs to be from a personal aspect as well as athletic. Giving guidance for personal growth can only help the individual player become a better team member.
Mentor
As a mentor the coach is the more experienced person. Your role is to share your knowledge and inspire your players to learn from what you know. Encourage the potential in the individual team member and always be available with a listening ear.
Communicator
A coach needs really good communication to lead and be able to mesh together the different personalities within the team. By paying attention to what your players are telling you and knowing how to respond you are letting them know you are approachable. Working good team dynamics will result in better interaction between players.
Demonstrator
Demonstrating what you expect from your players means that you become the role model for them to follow. Make sure that what you are showing them by your own example matches the end result you hope to achieve. This is equally important off the court and away from the training session.
Motivator
Being able to promote and excite team players is a challenging task but motivation is what is going to get the best out of the individual to make it as a team member. While repetition is the key to learning boredom could be seen as the negative reaction. Mix it up and find new ways of teaching the same drill.
While the roles of a coach are many and varied the main aim is to impart knowledge. The more you know the more you can teach. Attend coaching development courses at every opportunity and watch other coaches to get a feel for what works best.
About this Author
Catherine Cox has achieved everything there is to achieve in netball: Commomnwealth Games Gold Medalist, World Champion, ANZ Championship Winner and accredited Development Coach. Join Holding Court to gain access to the skills and drills Catherine has experienced throughout her 22 year playing career. For more information or to become a member, visit Netball Drills.
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