🏆 10 Skills All Head Coaches Need

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10 Skills All Head Coaches Need

I have been a high school principal for 19 years.

I have been a varsity coach for 18 years in two different stints. I have been doing both together for 11 years.

Whenever people ask me what prepared me best for being a principal, the answer is easy.

Being a head coach.

There is no other comparison.

The skill sets are very similar. You see, being a head coach goes well beyond knowing the game. It is so much more dynamic.

And the skillset is huge.

This is one reason I am finishing my next course for coaches:

Better Coach OS: Be a Better Coach. Build a Better Team.

I am creating the ultimate masterclass for coaches to share the dynamic skillset needed. Whether you are new to the profession, mid-career, or a seasoned vet, this course will give you great content to be a better coach.

It will be ready in about one month! Click here to join the waitlist.

Here are 10 critical skills I believe all head coaches need.

1. Connection - Coaching is, first and foremost, about relationships. It is about connecting with your players. It is about trust. Never forget the relationship aspect of coaching - it is crucial.

2. Communication - Always remember, "Where there is a void in communication, negativity fills it." Coaches need to talk clearly and listen well. Feedback is at the heart of teaching and coaching. Never assume, keep things simple, but be clear with your communication.

3. Leadership - Good coaches lead by example, showing commitment and positivity. They are role models. Always remember that athletes often take on the personality of a coach. Good coaches are positive energy givers, which becomes contagious to the team. Good leaders also develop more leaders. This is why I developed the Team Leader OS.

4. Adaptability - Coaches should be ready to change plans based on new situations. One thing for certain is that there will always be new challenges as coaches. Resilience and adaptability are critical skills.

5. Sports Knowledge - Knowing the sport well is important, but you don't have to know it all immediately. More than anything, you have to be willing to learn.

6. Motivation - Keeping athletes excited and focused is key. Creating the proper mindset in your players is critical. This is the art of coaching. Keeping an entire team engaged and committed to the team over a long season is an often overlooked part of being a head coach. Check out my Motivation Playbook for ideas.

7. Organization - Good coaches know that being organized shows competence. It shows competence to parents, administration, the community, and players. Planning practices and keeping track of athletes' progress helps everything run smoothly. I created my Pre-Season Playbook and Off-Season Playbook to help with this.

8. Analysis - Coaches must examine how athletes and teams are doing and determine what can be improved. The ability to analyze and solve problems is an important skill for coaches.

9. Problem-Solving - Coaches will face challenges and should be ready to find solutions quickly and calmly. Working with assistant coaches to help solve these problems is also important.

10. Continuous Improvement - This may be the most important. You never know it all. You never arrive. Sports change all the time. Coaches should always be learning new things to stay updated.

Summary:

There are so many skills that head coaches need. These 10 provide a foundation and a good start to handling the dynamic aspects of being a coach.

Want more? Check out the 10 lessons for all coaches:

Good Luck!

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📚 BOOKS, COURSES, & FREE RESOURCES

• Team Leader OS - The ultimate course to systemically build your team leaders year after year. Flexible, practical, and built by a coach for coaches.

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Contact Me: Greg Berge, [email protected]