Quote:
Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper
Well what exactly even makes a “good” coach?
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That's a great question, because players don't really know until they've had a good one to contrast against the bad ones. Let me start by saying what common behaviors the good coaches that I had held in common.
First and foremost, the coach established the system or framework the team would work under. Whether it was hockey or baseball the coach determined the team philosophy and the systems under which the team would run. The coach established how we were to make certain plays and it was up to us to execute. The systemic nature of things was important as players had to be in certain parts of the ice or field to make plays work. When the system broke down, so did the play and efficacy of the team. The good coaches adapted the systems to the strengths of the players. If a team was fast, the systems would rely on speed to keep the opposition on their heels. If the team was big, the coach would rely on a heavy power game. If the team was not offensively gifted the team would play tight defense and make the opposition earn its goals or runs. The system made the team successful. A poor system ultimately led to no success and a lot of dissatisfaction on the roster.
Secondly the coach is responsible for setting the lineup. This is a what makes the team tick. If you can't match the talent on the team together or find the right slots for them in the lineup, you're not going to be successful. Line combinations are extremely important in hockey, which we are all to often aware of. In baseball it is the batting order and the defensive lineup. When a coach screws up here the results are quite obvious. When you play a 4th line player up the lineup it can be disruptive to the success of the team. When you have a batter in the wrong slot you can put a top to run production before it gets started. Finding where players can be successful the best and helping the team win is the most crucial responsibility day-to-day.
Thirdly, the coach must be able to focus and prepare the team for the game ahead. Provide the players with information that will allow them to break down the other team. This team likes to rely on a 2-1-2 or a trap at the blueline, here is the best strategies to defeat that system. This goaltender has this behavior and is weak in this area. This player is the straw that stirs the drink, so we're going to pay more attention to him, or this guy is all pass so we're going to make him shoot. Conversely, these guys are strong on this side so we're going to change our breakout to come out the opposite side of the ice, of their defensemen love to pinch so we're going to chip off the boards to center ice and trap them up ice. Providing information to the players about what they are about to face is all about preparation.
Fourthly, the coach is supposed to be an observer and a teacher. They are the second set of eyes to help players notice weaknesses in their game or bad habits that may be forming. A guy is struggling to get the shot off because of his body positioning, or a batter who is hitting fly balls because of a lazy elbow, the coach is expected to be that extra set of eyes and notice these small things that can right slumping players. Coaches are students of the game and they are also teachers of the game.
Fifthly, the coach is to be a motivator. This is the hardest part for a lot of coaches as motivation is mostly driven from inside the individual. The coach's job is to help find ways that help that plyer self-motivate. Whether it be praise, a challenge, discipline, embarrassment, or intrinsic methods, the coach can be a big part in motivating the individual and club.
These are the most important characteristics that stood out for me with the coaches I've had. These are the ones I've had success under and the ones I've enjoyed being being part of the games I've loved. I suspect you'd get different responses from different athletes, but I think this is a good place to start.