Why is it good to have a team of coaches?
An athlete, whether experienced or not, looks for a coach for many reasons; accountability, guidance or to reach a specific goal. The traditional way of coaching is having one coach focused on the desired activity. The one coach has specific expertise in the one area. With this approach, there are still many aspects the athlete needs in order to be successful such as mental stability and awareness, pre/rehab professionals, proper nutrition advice and complementary activities to be an overall healthy athlete.
What if there was a concept where the athlete had multiple coaches at their fingertips to help with their success? By having the team of coaches, the athlete has multiple people working cohesively together with open communication. This approach brings diverse perspectives, knowledge and expertise to create a comprehensive training plan.
For example if a triathlete is feeling a tightness, the triathlon coach can seamlessly inform the strength coach what is tight, then the strength coach can tailor the strength workout to help strengthen the weak areas.
The approach has numerous benefits for the athlete and the coaches:
Holistic Athletic Development - A coach collaboration ensures all aspects of the athlete’s development are being addressed in a timely manner. This prevents delays in growth. If the mind is not in a right space or muscles aren’t moving with full range of motion, physical activity will suffer.
Problem-Solving and Innovation - One coach can get complacent and be comfortable with repeating workouts. A team can brainstorm with each other finding creative solutions when the plan derails.
Support for Each Other - Having a support team can help keep the mind of the coach clear when things get tough.
Building A Strong Team Culture - United coaches sets an example for the athletes. It shows collaboration, respect, and open communication, which in turn fosters a team-oriented mindset.
Focus on Long-Term Goals - A unified coaching team is better equipped to work toward the long-term goals of the athletes and the team as a whole. By combining their efforts, coaches can design a roadmap that goes beyond individual seasons, helping to develop athletes’ skills and mentalities that will serve them over years.
When coaches work together, it creates a positive environment for athletes. Coaches become role models for collaboration, communication and respect, which will transfer to the athletes. A strong collaboration creates a more powerful, unified force for athletes bringing value to the athlete.
