[NEWS]


COACHING EFFECTIVENESS


By Meg Stone, 2x Olympian, Director of the Center of Excellence for Sport Science & Coaching, Director of the Olympic Training Site at ETSU


In writing this article, it is hoped to stimulate some conversation and


thought as to why, how and what is understood, regarding the prac- tice of coaching. In the practice of long-term athlete development we begin with attractin2g young people to the sport hoping to retain them by stimulating enjoyment of the sport, having fun, and learning at the same time. It is hoped that growing from this enjoyment is a willingness to continue in the sport and develop more finely-tuned skills of the sport. Rising from this commitment to the sport is the passion to take the skills learned to the elite level of competition and all that that entails. So a pathway is developed from the beginner to intermediate and on to elite level competition. Cotes and Gilbert (1) suggest effective coaching practices that involve four types of athlete or coaching interactions, referred to as the 4 C’s: competence, con- fidence, connection and character. The question becomes how are these traits encouraged and developed in the coach and the athletes with whom they interact. Competency refers to how well the athlete has developed with re-


gards to the sport specific technical and tactical skills they need to excel, demonstrated by how “well” they have been coached. Confi- dence refers to the athlete’s personal sense of overall well being and sense of self worth. Connection refers to the relationships and interac- tions the athletes have with people in the sport and outside the sport. Character refers to the manner in which the athletes honor their sport, demonstrated by their respect, good judgment and moral integrity. So at each level of our sport, how do we nurture these qualities in


our weightlifters? How do we develop competent, confident, well- connected athletes demonstrating good judgment? In every weightlifting environment across the country every workout


session there is the potential for a young athlete to walk into the facility and utter the phrase, “Coach, I want to learn how to lift.” The first of the 4 C’s in such a situation is connection. There is no second chance to make a first impression. Encouragement, enjoyment and relating to that young person in a fashion that tells them they are important to you, and the sport, raises the probability of retaining that new recruit in the sport. The initial reaction and consequent workout with the coach is a deter- mining factor in “hooking” the beginner on the sport of weightlifting. The competency of the coach in teaching the skill of weightlifting will


determine how competent the athlete will become at those skills. Given the athlete is physically and mentally suited to the sport of weightlifting, there is the potential for the athlete to reach the elite level of the sport. Regarding competency, it can be asked of the coach, do you know your sport well enough to coach it well? It could be argued that weightlifting is comprised of seven different elements: physiology, psychology, med- ical issues, technical competencies (biomechanics), strength and con- ditioning work, nutrition, and the piece that holds everything together is the well-designed, evidence-based annual plan. Are you competent in these elements? If not, do you know where to go to get knowledge


PAUL WOELMER 2014 NATIONAL


JUNIOR CHAMPION, 85KG 155KG/341 POUNDS,


HOOSIER WEIGHTLIFTING CLUB


needed, scientifically reliable, evidence-based advice? The


coach working with


the young weightlifter has a responsibility to be a role model for that athlete in all manner of behavior, dress, speech, interactions with others and ethics. Respect, trustworthi- ness and work ethic can all be learned from a principled leader and a coach of good character. The coach throughout their interaction with any athlete should remember they are in the position of mentor and role model. Role modeling would include their interaction with other athletes and coaches. “Respect, watching what is said and how it is said to other athletes, officials and coaches is as important as the coach is. Whether they realize it or not, respect has a direct in- fluence on the development of their athlete’s character.” Does the coach speak badly of other coach’s athletes or programs? Does the coach follow the rules of the sport or try to circumvent them? Does the coach undermine or support the work done by other coaches? Confidence is an interesting aspect of sport. Thomas Carlyle said,


“Nothing builds self esteem and self confidence like accomplish- ment.“ Arthur Ashe stated,” An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” Confidence can grow from being successful, and suc- cess can come from self reflection regarding the 4 C’s. The young person coming into the sport should find themselves in


an environment built on these principles. Using these principles as a background it is very interesting exer-


cise to observe and comment on the coaching practices found at the elite level of weightlifting in the U.S. both from the coach and athlete perspective. Understanding and adherence to these basic guidelines for success


will enhance the possibility of the athlete and coach connecting with each other, building confidence for a superior performance, working in a atmosphere of competency and respecting each other as people of good character.


Meg Stone, MA, FSCA, is a two time Olympian competing in the discus for Great Britain and NCAA Record holder in the discus and shot. She has served in the roles of Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Arizona & Texas Tech, Associate Head Coach of Track & Field at Appalachian State University, Scotland’s National Track & Field Coach, and US Olympic Committee Coaching Manager. Meg is currently the Director of the Center of Excellence for Sport Science & Coaching Education and the Director of the Olympic Training Site at East Tennessee State University. She is a recipient of the “Legends in the Field Award” by the College Strength Coaches Association and the 2009 National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Life Time Achievement Award.


References: 1. Cote J, and Gilbert WD. An Integrative definition of coaching effectiveness and expertise. Int J Sci Coaching 4:307-323, 2009 2. Arnold M. British Athletic Federation, Guidelines for Coaches with National and International Teams


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