Considerations: coaching
Mar. 12th, 2008 09:31 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rebeccmeisterI'm considering doing some rowing coaching. Not due to any particular directive or request from anybody, but just as a general thing because I'd like to see more good rowing on our lake. When I look around, I see a ton of examples of poor coaching, which is part of what's making me think it would be useful and interesting to see if I could make a positive difference. I know of only a single coach whose perspective and judgment I trust because he admits that he doesn't know everything and has gone out of his way to keep improving his abilities as a coach (he's come a long ways in the time I've known him). Aside from that, I've observed a whole lot of poor coaching here, which leads to poor rowing.
Probably the first thing I'd do is want to have a coaching buddy, which is contrary to how most rowing coaching seems to work. But really, isn't it a brilliant idea? That way, someone else is around to bounce ideas off of, and I'd have someone to support my coaching directives or question them when necessary. Also, then the burden's off for me to be there all the time, every day, and likewise for the other party. I think it would be the best way to prevent long-term burnout. Not a revolutionary idea, surely, but different from how most coaches operate.
But would it be too much? Probably. Perhaps I'll be able to give it a shot over the summer. We shall see.
Probably the first thing I'd do is want to have a coaching buddy, which is contrary to how most rowing coaching seems to work. But really, isn't it a brilliant idea? That way, someone else is around to bounce ideas off of, and I'd have someone to support my coaching directives or question them when necessary. Also, then the burden's off for me to be there all the time, every day, and likewise for the other party. I think it would be the best way to prevent long-term burnout. Not a revolutionary idea, surely, but different from how most coaches operate.
But would it be too much? Probably. Perhaps I'll be able to give it a shot over the summer. We shall see.
no subject
Date: 2008-03-12 05:28 pm (UTC)Based on that experience, I'd say that the better the two coaches understand each other (teaching styles, communicating styles, strength, weakness, motivations, goals for their students) the better for all concerned. In your case, you're articulate and analytical enough to be able to explain those things about yourself, even if you didn't know the other person well to begin with. If you can find someone else who is, also, that would be good.
Now I'm curious which coach you're referring to. The one I'd say has come farthest in the time I've known him there is probably D., but I'm still not sure he's gotten to the point of admitting he doesn't know everything.
no subject
Date: 2008-03-12 06:42 pm (UTC)You're correct about the coach I'm referring to. He's continued developing as a coach, and is definitely willing to admit that he doesn't know everything, believe it or not. After the whole process of taking E to junior worlds in China last summer, he said he's learned a tremendous amount in just the past year. He has also managed to learn to control his temper, from what I've seen. I think it has also really helped that he has the support of a full, organized board of people instead of just relying on doing everything himself. Some of the board members have really helped his development.
Rowing as a practice in humility
Date: 2008-03-16 02:40 pm (UTC)For those who are not personally aware of the seemingly endless bounds of Rebecca's patience; she valiantly gets in a shell with me every so often and has never once complained about how distinct that experience is from the 'borderline perfection' that can be achieved rowing with K. Yet she perseveres...perhaps one day I can make it worth the sacrifices. Until then, rowing remains the most humbling experience of my life!