Psychology of Coaching

KIN 2526 Psychology of Coaching

2015 Spring Intersession

Coaches’ ultimate goal: team has a shared vision

Coaches must be open minded

* “suck scum”- no job is beneath you, humility

7 lessons from Frosty Westering:

1. Had fun with his team and made it an exciting environment

* Took dares from his team, encouraged harmless pranks

* Insisted the team called him “Frosty”

2. Loved his players

* Seasons began on a 3 day get away and did nothing to do with football

* Wasn’t afraid of the word love, and would apologize and admit his short comings

* Learn about his players back rounds and future dreams

3. Helped players see the big picture

* Call off practice to have the team go support other sporting events on campus

* Halted two-a-day practices in fall to have players help freshmen move into the dorms

4. Modeled selflessness

* Left locker room better than they found it

* Wrote ‘Merry Christmas’ in away team’s locker room on the white board

5. Sang with his players

* Sang before and after games or whenever really

* Believed singing raised your consciousness

6. Taught players to set their own standard

* Help opposing players get if knocked down

* Kids you needed discipline would receive ‘put ups” (not put downs)

i. Love motivated better than fear

7. Use athletics as a platform to teach life

Coaching X’s and O’s and practice is only 40% of the job

Coaches do other jobs as well 60%

* Counselor, psychiatrist, public relations, public speaker, bus driver, accountant, travel agent, athletic trainer, baby sitter, equipment manager, researcher, investigator, diplomat, greens keeper

2 Classifications of coaches

Every coach falls in one or the other- if not, then not a genuine coach

1. Transactional Coach- see coach as a transaction, teaches players to be a better player

* Impersonal

* Focuses on current...