Take Your Mark, Set… How to Build a Sustainably Successful Coaching Career

If you're already an experienced coach, how would you go about starting your coaching career all over again? Knowing what you know now — how would you start again and build a sustainably successful coaching career? Or maybe you're just starting out and you're not sure what path to take. What's the best way to build the foundations, skills, knowledge and capabilities you'll need to succeed?

Start with Psychology, Not Physiology

When you start out coaching, it would be fair to say the most obvious aspect of sport to focus on is physiology. Those first few months learning sets, reps, cycle times, intensity levels, load management, skills, and drills seem to pre-occupy every waking coaching moment. However, as you progress, you start to understand that although the physiology of training is important — even more important is the psychology of practice and performance.

Understand Your Own Motivation

Before you step onto the field for the first time as a coach, go for a long walk. Ask yourself — "why do I want to coach?" Then, when the little voice inside your head says "because I love sport" or "to give something back" — immediately disregard it. Reject your first one, two and even three answers and dig a bit deeper. Understanding why you coach is the first big step into developing a clear coaching philosophy and a set of personal coaching standards, values and principles that will guide you throughout your career.

Master Available Technologies

One of the greatest ever coaching tools is the smartphone — it puts high-quality video technology with immediate playback features into the hands of coaches everywhere. For a few dollars you can buy simple-to-use video analysis apps purpose-designed for sport coaches — technology that only a few years ago cost thousands of dollars and three years at university to learn. Master the available technology. The future of coaching is right here, right now, and it's in your pocket.

Build a Culture of Fun

Take a look at the sport drop-out rate in the mid-teen years and you'll note that competitive sport has a big problem retaining participants. If your coaching program is based only on hard work, discipline, and sacrifice, you'll attract a certain type of athlete. But unless the environment balances excellence with enjoyment, even the most talented athletes will seek alternatives. There's nothing wrong with hard work — but make sure your program is also a place people want to be.

Commit to Honest Daily Self-Reflection

No matter how long you're in coaching you can always learn, improve and get better at what you do. No coach knows it all, but the great ones are committed to learning and improving every day. This learning lifestyle underpins long-term success in every walk of life and is an essential foundation of a sustainably successful coaching career.