Training in sport becomes increasingly difficult as we enter the 21st century. While this article focuses on the swim coach, what you have learned can be adapted to training in all sports. So what are the attributes of a great coach?

A coach will play a very important role in the lives of young swimmers. Their actions and attitudes help shape their view of the world and of themselves. For some children, the coach will enter their world at a time when they are struggling to reduce the influence of their parents. Children can come to you for considerable support, either physically or psychologically. The potential to impact the lives of young people shouldn’t be unpleasant.

A common mistake made by young coaches is assuming that verbal communication is not only the best form of communication, but that it is the only way to communicate. Another problem is that some coaches talk too much. Verbal communication is vital; but it may lose some of its effectiveness when used unnecessarily, especially during training.

Non-verbal communication, such as the coach’s facial expressions or gestures that show anger, frustration, acceptance, empathy, disapproval, or pleasure, can have an effect on swimmers during training and competition. Recent research concludes that young swimmers assume that nonverbal cues reveal a coach’s actual feelings and thoughts more than words.

The implications for coaching are clear: what you do is much more important than what you say.

In the first three years of our life we ​​learn to speak.

In the next three you will learn to read and write.

How much time is spent teaching people to listen?

Learn this skill, then teach it to your staff and swimmers.

The coach must be a good listener, that is, be attentive to what the athlete says. The individual needs of athletes must be taken into account.

The element of respect comes into play here, as the coach’s response will govern how the athlete will approach you in the future. Every swimmer should receive feedback on technique and performance in each session.

A great coach will have developed their own standards and philosophies regarding their chosen sport. They will have strong communication skills and will be honest and approachable with athletes, parents, and fellow coaches.

Training knowledge and experience, not necessarily sport specific, are generally very helpful. A great coach will have strong self-discipline and instill discipline in team members. If a situation arises with a swimmer, he will pursue the situation and not the individual. It is important to discipline in private and reward in public. Make sure you never hurt the dignity of the person.

A coach should strive to reduce and minimize the need for discipline, ensuring that his program includes fun, activity, and learning. They will have the ability to teach and train. Training styles are different, so don’t try to copy someone else.

The respected swim coach will instill the highest desirable ideals and character traits in his swimmers. They have a responsibility to maintain discipline throughout the training session and to be self-confident, attentive, consistent, friendly, fair, and competent. They should also be able to deal with the initial treatment of minor injuries.

A great swimming coach will be very organized for each session, for the week, for the month, for the year and will be able to justify, if necessary, why things are being done.

They will be able to create an environment where success is inevitable by instilling discipline and standards for athletes to observe and engage. A great coach will have a high level of commitment and discipline and should be the core of your swim club. The objectives of the club must parallel the training program and vice versa, and it is important that the coach provides what is needed for the club to be successful.

Regular and open communication with parents is vital. A great coach will be accessible to parents and listen to them, but will ultimately make their own decision. It is important that coaches see the type of relationship they have with parents as if they become friends and the coach needs to make a difficult decision, then the coach will be in a compromising position.

Coaches also have a legal responsibility to provide a safe environment, ensuring that facilities and equipment are safe for both users and others involved in competition and training. Safety in all sports should be the message that we must put into practice in our daily work as coaches. Pools are a dangerous environment to work in and all necessary precautions must be taken to keep your pool safe.

Plan your training sessions carefully to ensure the progression of your athletes and limit the risk of injury. Be confident to identify exercises that are potentially dangerous (for example, straight leg raises) and provide a safe substitute. Activities must be properly planned. Impaired learning ability and injuries can be the result of unplanned practice sessions.

Young athletes must not be incompatible. Young athletes should be matched not only for age, but also for height, weight, and maturity. Skill levels and experience should also be considered.

Safe and appropriate equipment must be provided and the equipment must be in good repair and safe to use at all times.

Athletes should be warned of the risks inherent in sport. Participants can only legally accept the risks inherent in a sport if they know, understand and appreciate those risks.

Make sure activities are closely supervised. Proper supervision is necessary to ensure that the practice environment is as safe as possible.

Coaches must know first aid. Coaches should have knowledge of basic emergency procedures and keep up-to-date on them.

Develop clear written rules for training and general conduct. Many injuries are the result of wasting time in locker rooms and training venues.

Coaches must keep adequate records.

Proper records are helpful planning aids and are essential in all injury cases.

Expect the unexpected. Always renew your insurance coverage well before it expires each year in case you need it.