Why Are Coaches Idiots?

Are coaches idiots?

First of all, we must agree that coaches are in fact idiots.

Help me out here. I want you to think about the person that most often becomes a coach. He was a competitor. Quite often, a very talented competitor. He was a person who prepared religiously for every match and gave it his all once the competition began. Then, once it became clear to him or her that they were no longer able to effectively compete, they became a coach to help others be the best they could be.

This person is still the most caring, hard working, dedicated individual he or she ever was during their competitive years. Then, it happens. They are coaching their team in their first competition. During the competition a referee makes a bad call and the coach is all over him or her for it. Next, one of the athletes makes a huge mistake that is costly to the team.  So the coach subs for the athlete and gives them a piece of his mind at the top of his voice. The pattern continues.  The parents, athletes and referees all think this coach is a clown.

They are wrong. This young coach probably has the potential to become one of the finest coaches in the sport. The problem is chemicals. That’s right, chemicals. You see, when a competitor is preparing for a match, their body is sending out a number of chemicals to help the body sustain throughout this intense period. It is the age old case of flight or flight preparation that starts the adrenalin and other chemicals loading into the system. Once the competition begins, these chemicals are being used by the body to carry them though.  The coach was once a competitor. A very good competitor. His body goes through the same preparation for a match as it did when he was young and competing. The problem is that now he is standing on the side line with no where to burn off these chemicals, except through his mouth and his actions. So he does. And, since he does, he gives all the appearance of being an idiot. Such is not the case.  As a matter of fact, with a little proper training, this coach can learn to use those chemicals to turn him or her into to the budding genius that they probably are.

First of all, the coach must learn to channel their energy into thought processes, not action processes.

Second, in understanding the nature of his or her situation, they shoud take the time to do a some exercises that will burn off enough of the excess chemicals to get them down to a managable level. Then, when the match begins, they should have something to capture their thoughts on. A clipboard, a note book or maybe a minature tape recorder.

Finally, they should train themselves not to say a word to the team, or an individual athlete, until they have talked the situation over with a personal confidant. Someone who can help to keep the situation in perspective. If the team is not getting the calls from the referee, the coach should talk it over with the referee in a calm manner, asking for an explanation. If there is time out called, or a substitution made to discuss problems the team is having, talk over what you are going to say with your assistant. Or, anyone else you may have identified as your sounding board. It is vital that the coach remains in positive control of all situations at all times.

The reason you must remain in control is that you are not just training these young men and women in the sport you are coaching. You are training them on how to deal with life’s little situations. If you are an idiot, than you are training idiots. If you are calm, cool and under control, then you are training these fine young people to become the future leaders of our country.

Why are coaches idiots? They are not idiots. They are the most dedicated individuals on the face of the earth. They just need to understand their bodies a little bit better so they can be effective leaders. For, if they are effective leaders, then they are going to create effective leaders for the future of our country.

Now, get off the bench and get back in the game!

Have an amazing day!

Coach Papa