Coaching a sports team is not a one-way street. It’s very much similar to teaching, except that it happens outside the classroom. Several types of coaching can be used depending on what works best for the coaches themselves.
Good coaches are not defined by their number of wins or points scored per game. They’re defined by how well they can turn an ordinary group of players into a cohesive and collaborative team. They are in charge of leading their teams to success—not just during games but also in life.
Are you having trouble leading your team to victory? Maybe the coaching style you’re using isn’t sufficient enough for your players. You can solve this problem by looking through the different type of coaching on this list and choosing the most suitable approach:
1. Autocratic coaching
Autocratic coaching is a very classical approach. When people think of a coach, they’ll most likely think of someone who makes all the decisions in a team. There’s little to no room for suggestions from the players. The autocratic coach believes that they can make the best decisions for the team.
Professional-level coaches often use this type of coaching, focusing heavily on their team’s victory. Autocratic coaching is also commonly used in team sports rather than individual sports.
2. Democratic coaching
Democratic coaching is the complete opposite of the previous strategy. It heavily emphasises cooperation between the coaches and their players. Before finalising a decision, democratic coaches would ask for feedback or suggestions from their team.
Also known as the “athlete-centred” approach, this coaching style is beneficial for both individual and team sports. Many coaches who deal with young players use this strategy to encourage healthy communication between the kids.
3. Holistic coaching
Are you having trouble choosing between autocratic and democratic coaching? There’s one more option: Holistic coaching, a more laid-back approach compared to the other two.
Also known as “laissez-faire” coaching, this strategy focuses on the athlete’s individual exploration. Holistic coaches put less pressure on the players, encouraging them to understand their own strengths and weaknesses.
Do you want to learn more about the different types of coaching? There are still several approaches not mentioned in this list, and you can explore them through in-depth sports courses found online.
About the Author:
Author: Richard Sharp
“Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced” John Keats
This quote continues to inspire my pursuit of delivering authentic, long-term online learning opportunities for K-12 students and educators. As a former classroom teacher, senior faculty member and current district school board member, I take great pride in sharing my education insights towards technology – enhanced learning in the student leadership and future skills of the workforce curricular areas
