This author offers the following suggestions for all those wishing to enter the ranks of the profession:
- Begin reading and developing a library of books, articles, and clippings on coaching the sport of your interest. For example, a track coach should regularly read Track Coach, a quarterly journal covering techniques of this sport. Other publications worth reviewing include Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director, Soccer Journal, Track and Field Coaches Review, and Canadian Journal for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. A number of fine videos also exist on both specific General topics.
- Attend practices of several teams at various levels to observe coaches' organization and teaching techniques. This is important not only for non athletes, but also for those who have participated in sports. It's easy to fall into the trap of coaching the way you were coached. Take the best and incorporate it into your system.
- Observe as many games, matches, or meets as you can. While doing so, be at time a student of the sport. Observe how a coach performs magic or makes a mistake. For example, in basketball, how does the coach use timeout? In hockey, how are substitutions handled? In football, what adjustments are made at halftime? In baseball, exactly when is a relief pitcher brought in to replace the starter? Quite often the difference between a fan and a person actually studying a game is that the fan watches only the main action (usually the ball), while the keen observer also watches the behavior of the other players and the article of the coach.
- Study the rules and rule changes of your sport so that as coach, you will be knowledgeable in using the rules for your benefit and that of your team. Strategy frequently revolves around the rules of the game, with opposing coaches working to gain an advantage.
- Select some coaches whom you admire and use them as role models for yourself. You may want to write and ask them to share some of their materials with you. Many coaches will provide information on their approaches to the sport, including specifics in areas such as practice organization and weight training. A coaching model need not have a fantastic record; many coaches are very good, yet have only mediocre win loss histories.
- Discover what functions sports officials, scorekeepers, statisticians, and athletic directors perform at an athletic event. If you do not have athletic ability, you may wish to volunteer to serve as a manager or statistician for a team. One of the best ways to gain an excellent close up feel for athletics is to serve as a referee, judge, or umpire. Not only does this enable you to practice instant recall of the rules, but you also gain an insight into the flow of the event. Frequently, lower level sports teams go begging for officials. Volunteer-it will make you a better coach.
- Investigate the off season techniques to develop players in your sport. For example, weight training equipment and procedures, conditioning, and nutrition have changed dramatically in recent years. Future coaches should stay informed about these developments. Observe athletes and their coaches in working situations during the off season.
- Attend professional meetings, conferences, and clinics, and join the coaching associations related to your sports interest. Membership in the following organizations is strongly encouraged.
- Participate in sports. If you are able to compete at the varsity level, play on intramural and community teams.
- Volunteer to serve as an assistant coach for a team of children in your community. This will give you the experience as well as the opportunity to learn and experiment in developing your own coaching system and philosophy.
Back in the early 1920s, when I was in the seventh at West Orange, New Jersey's Fairmount Middle School, I met a man who changed my whole life.
His name was Lawrence Quallo, our athletic director... As a youngster I was not a very good athlete, but I did my best. Then one day on the basketball court, after I had been lucky enough to score, Mr. Quall stopped the game, came over to me and asked, "Eddie, would you like to try out to our team? I think you have the makings of a good player."
Thanks to Larry Quallo's influence, I went on to become a fairly good three letter man in high school. So much did Larry inspire and guide mutilate, when I was in my junior year of high school, I scored over 1,000 points for the basketball team (I missed only one foul shot), scored 11 touchdowns and ran the hundred in 10 seconds flat. I tried to please Larry. My reward? He said he was more than pleased. That was enough. I'm now in the Hall of Fame, but only because of Larry. He helped my dreams come true. He put a real foundation under my dreams, insuring they'd become reality. He was like a father to me, and I bless his memory every day of my life.
