Professional Coaching! A missunderstood profession!
INTERACT with the rest of society
In my first blog about the NCCP core competency interacting, i refflected more on the relationships you build with your athlete, administrators and co-workers wich is key to any kind of success in my book. We are human beings first, and everything is build on relationships and interactions.
I decided this time to put my focus this time on this interacting sub category:
- Is aware of how he/she is being received by others
I think that examening external forces and how we are percived as coaches in society is very important for self-estime and over all confidence. we must be aware about who we are and what we do and reflect on our place in society.
As i reflected on this, I came to realize that Coaching is one of the most misunderstood occupations in our society, with the workload, stress and the traveling, the job of a professional coach is highly demanding. There is always also the possibility to be fired at any time or not having your contract renewed for various reasons. It is highly recommended to constantly study and be updated on all latest research and training methods to optimize the performance of athletes at the highest level. A certain psychology, patience and listening ability are essential to being an effective coach, we must manage individualities, a collective, egos, etc.. A good resistance to stress is also necessary. There is also an ungrateful side, one has to be organized, meticulous, work crazy hours , and when the athletes perform well all is great, but when they under-perform or get inconsistant or Bad results, often, all eyes turn towards the coach or coaching staff.
I’m reminded every time i travel that our profession is misunderstood and even underestimated
Typical conversation on the plane or in the airports:
X: “What are you going to do in this or that city ???”
Me: “I will participate in a karate competition as a coach.”
X: “Super, I used to practice a long time ago, it was my favorite pastime
Otherwise WHAT IS YOUR REAL JOB ??? (COLD SHOWER)
In general, already at this level of conversation, I begin to look at my watch.”
ME (grrrrrrrrr inside):” but … calmly I answer, I am a strength and conditioning coach for high level athletes and i have been a karate coach for several years
For the past 20 years, i have been getting certifications, coaching diplomas and going for university degrees just to enhance my craft, this is my full time is my job and the career i chose to do!”
X: “Oh wow ok I understand, we tend to associate coaches with the leisure activities like dads who are coaching volunteers for the soccer team of their sons or daughters. I understand that elite competition is something else, i’m sorry!”
Me:. “Don’t worry this is not the first time, when I travel for the competition, I barely have time to breathe, my time is separated between the hotel and the competition venue. Not to mention the stress of foreseeing the unexpected, to put the athletes under our responsibility in the best possible conditions to perform. We must not forget the endless hours spent on PLANNING the training beforehand, and all the hours of training with the athletes before going to competition, without forgeting the time away from our families etc … It is really Intense at all levels, I have hardly any time to go sightseeing, even if I travel a lot, but this is the job that I have chosen and I am very passionate about it!”
I always make sure my profession is understood and respected! Sometimes I even have this kind of conversation with longtime friends … When I come back from competition, they often swing me: “how was your vacation?” ( Me: GRRRR)
Here is a summary of a Typical Competition Week:
MONDAY:
-Arrival: making sure everyone has arrived (follow the schedules of each person) and
Check-in at the hotel
-Small training
– Rest and recovery
Briefing with the whole team
Logistics of the coming week
TUESDAY;
Training in the morning
Visit of the competition venues – Visualization session
Accreditation and registration for referees and coaches
Sometimes, coaches Written exam
Meeting of coaches with the event manager
Briefing with athletes –
WEDNESDAY
Proclamation of the results of the examinations of coaches or referees
Briefing of referees and coaches
Training with athletes and video analysis session
Supervision of athletes who are at the limit of the weight of their category
THURSDAY:
STRESS RISES AND THE RACE STARTS
Registration, Draw sheets
coach meeting
Meeting with the athletes
FRIDAY:
Qualifiers & Individual kata M and F
Opening ceremony
Finals kata IND M and F Presentation of medals
SATURDAY
The race continues
IND M & F Preliminary & Draft
Lunch if possible / Finals and awards
Coaches meeting
Team meeting
SUNDAY:
Kumite & Kata Team Preliminary events M & F Lunch
Finals and medal ceremonies closing ceremony
Coaches meeting
Team meeting
MONDAY:
Coaches meeting
Team meeting
Airport and headed back to home ( working on coaches final report in the plane or airports)
I work really hard at perfecting my craft and I want to make sure people understand and respect the profession that I love so much and that i take very seriously.
Thank you
Reminder : the Coaching Association of Canada sees coaching as a respected and viable career choice for those who decide to make it their life’s work. We see a sports system centered on the athlete, but directed by the coach. The top professional coach has the highest level of education, experience, competence and ethics in the field of coaching.