A coach.  The dictionary defines a coach as a person who instructs or trains a performer or team.  It sounds simple enough, but there are many characteristics that determine the overall success of a coach. It is often the coach, not the players, that can make or break a team.  So the question asked by thousands of athletes and parents across the world is, “What makes a good coach?”

Being on a team not only teaches young, impressionable players about the sport, but also important life lessons.  They learn about friendships, the importance of teamwork and responsibility, and the impact of hard work.  A coach should serve as a leader to help teach these lessons.  A coach should be someone the entire team looks up to and can trust. 

Many athletes can remember that one single coach who impacted their entire sports career.  They usually will remember the man or woman who put all their efforts into being a role model for the team. Coaching a sport is not just about motivating the players to win, but to guarantee they have the best experience possible.

Although there is a wide assortment of teaching styles and personalities among coaches, there are some qualities that high schoolers think are the most important for a coach to have.  Some characteristics that stand out are patience, flexibility, fairness, safety, fun, and positivity.  A coach is someone who lifts the players up and encourages them to take the extra step to succeed, not someone who brings them down.  

An issue that many teams face is favoritism.  A good coach will focus equal attention to all the players, regardless of their experience and skill level.  They will help the stronger players to master their abilities while helping the weaker ones improve their basic skills.  A good coach is not someone who will play the same 10 players game after game while the others who work just as hard are forced to sit on the bench. 

Another important aspect is positivity.  After losing a game, a coach can react in two different ways.  Some will yell and critique everything the players did wrong that led to their loss.  Others will look on the bright side and focus on what the players did well, and what they can work together to improve on.  As someone who has experienced both of these views, I can say the positive coach is more effective in motivating the team to win the next game.

Many can agree that winning isn’t everything.  Coaches who have the mindset that their team absolutely has to win every game can put too much pressure on the team.  Athletes who feel the constant need to be perfect sometimes start to dislike the sport.  They feel they should be playing the sport to have fun, make friends, and have new experiences. 

Winning is nice, but not necessary to enjoy the sport.  An online survey showed that only 9% of kids think the most important thing a coach should care about is winning. 

I asked a few friends who all play different sports what they think makes a good coach.  Christie Franz, a field hockey player, said, “I would say a good coach has passion, respect, discipline, and love towards their team.”

Casey Leonick, a volleyball, basketball, and badminton player said, “A good coach knows how to encourage their athletes and create an atmosphere that promotes good sportsmanship around not only other teams but around each other.”

Overall, it seems like high schoolers are looking for a coach who is going to have a positive impact on the team.  They should truly be dedicated to bettering the players and making them love the sport they play.  They must also have an emphasis on team building as they realize that a cohesive team will be more successful. It is these kinds of coaches that will truly have a long-lasting impact on the lives of their players.