via Coach Dawn Writes:
I’m sure all of us have coaches that we look up to, those folks who were invaluable to us (whether they knew it or not) as we were coming up in the field. Cecile Reynaud was that person for me and when I saw a post of hers about coaching philosophy over on the Women in Coaching site, I thought you’d enjoy reading it as well. Here it is:
When I first started coaching at the NCAA Division I level I was 22 years old as the head coach. I had to dive into the profession with little time to develop my philosophy and coaching values. Fortunately I played for a strong female coach and was able to use her as a role model and sounding board in my early years. Keep in mind I was just about the same age as my athletes.
Starting a coaching career again I would make sure I had my philosophy well thought out and written down on paper. This is such a key for a coach to be successful. It is the basis for all of your decisions. Players and parents need to know your expectations and values which will allow them to make an informed decision to play for you. I always presented my coaching philosophy during a home visit. So, here it is:
TO PLAY HERE:
- Commit to work hard. Develop good habits in practice. Don’t settle for being average.
- Commit to becoming a smart player. Understand the game. Think quickly on your feet. Make good decisions.
- Put the team before yourself. Give to other people. Understand that you and your teammates need each other.
- Have a winning attitude. Believe in yourself. Play with confidence. Avoid dwelling on mistakes. Be a positive influence.
