7 CORE RESPONSIBILITIES OF COACHING

Here is great article by Lori Gano - Overway on the framework of the 7 core responsibilities of sports coaches. Originally published by the SHAPE America Task Force when revising the National Standards for Sport Coaches (NSSC) This is good stuff! Check it out!

What are the core responsibilities of sport coaches? What do coaches need to know and do to create quality sport experiences for athletes?

These questions were considered recently by the SHAPE America Task Force when revising the National Standards for Sport Coaches (NSSC). The NSSC were first introduced in 1995 with the intent of identifying the knowledge and skills that coaches need to work effectively with athletes.

In this third revision of the standards, the task force identified the core responsibilities, underlying knowledge, and professional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills coaches need to create quality sport experiences for athletes. Here are the core responsibilities:

1. Set Vision, Goals and Standards for Sport Program

2. Coaches develop a clearly defined philosophy and vision.

3. Engage in and Support Ethical Practices

4. Coaches model and teach ethical behavior.

5. Build Relationships

6. Coaches build skills to communicate, collaborate, educate and support all stakeholders in a program.

7. Develop a Safe Sport Environment

8. Coaches create an emotionally and physically safe sport environment.

9. Create a Positive and Inclusive Sport Environment

10. Coaches promote physical, psychological and social benefits for athletes and encourage sport participation.

11. Conduct Practices and Prepare for Competition

12. Coaches plan, teach, assess and adapt in order to conduct quality sport practices and prepare for competition.

13. Strive for Continuous Improvement

14. Coaches continually improve through self-reflection, mentorship, professional development, evaluation, and self-care.