By Andrew Tidswell
This week I wanted to share what it’s like being a full time coach and the ins and outs of the day-to-day schedules.
For starters, as a sports lover, I would not change what I do for anything. I am very grateful to be able to do what I love and call it my job.
The day-to-day interaction and development of the children is something that is very unique and a heart-warming to see.
The smiles, enjoyment and feeling of self-worth of the children is very much the top perk of my job.
Giving children opportunities that, possibly, I didn’t have as a youngster also drives me on. But don’t get me wrong, I am very happy with my childhood and the experiences I had.
What I mean by this is that, even back when I was at school (which wasn’t that long ago) sport sessions were mainly just football, cricket and rounders.
However, it is now so refreshing seeing children having opportunities to try their hand at other sports that don’t always spring to mind straight away – for instance tri-golf. I like playing golf, even though I’m not great.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the challenge, and this is often the same for the children too.
For another example, myself and the Elite Sport Academy staff have introduced fencing and archery into our school projects – and already we are getting such great reports from the children and staff at the schools we’re working with.
With the amount of sports available now it also gives us a scope to attract more of the children to staying active, because if children don’t like football, rugby, or hockey then they can try their hand at the others we offer.
However, if these other sports weren’t available then the children who don’t enjoy the mainline sports will often miss out.
Consequently, instead of being active and challenged while engaging in physical and social aspects, they will also often become attracted by games consoles and be sitting for hours in front of a television screen.
The other part of being a full time coach and the part that goes unseen is the planning side. Each session that is put on is planned to maximise the potential of the children we have and to maximise the time we have with them.
It is very rare in a class of 30 children, that all of them need the same style and same aspect of coaching that we can deliver.
For example, I know myself that I learn through doing, which makes me a kinaesthetic learner. However, others will learn through seeing and watching.
Everyone is different and the needs of the children are also different.
When explaining what activity we are going to do in a session, it’s important that you explain yourself to cater for all needs.
So you explain the activity, you show an example of the activity and then you let the children explore the activity themselves – and this way you have catered for of them.
Once you have planned a session that you are going to do, I think what makes an excellent coach is being able to improvise or changing the plans you have.
I have done this many times as scenarios and personnel often changes things, so adaptability is a good quality to have.
Again as an example, the children may need more time on one exercise or they may have blitzed the exercise and picked and demonstrated your points very well.
The biggest thing I focus on and want to see from the children however is giving them confidence through sports and having enjoyment while doing what they are doing – because like everything in life, you are more likely to return to something if you have enjoyed yourself.
