So, About This Coaching Thing

I've been writing a lot about my coaching experience, but since the original point of this blog was for Introduction to Multimedia Journalism, which I am taking through mediabistro.com, I figured I better take a post to explain how one might become a coach.

Now, while my route to a coaching job was slightly unconventional, I started the right way.

1. Play. Simple as that. Whatever sport you want to coach, try and play it. As much as you can, whenever you can, as often as you can. Now, just because you've never played a sport doesn't necessarily mean you can't coach it, but understanding how the game works from a player's perspective is knowledge that simply cannot be learned. If you cannot play the game, then watch as much as you can.

2. Become a student of the game. In addition to playing, watch the game. Watch the flow, the patterns, the rhythm. Watch the transition. Watch the good players, watch the bad players. While you watch, take note if how you could improve those players, take note of how those players can improve you. Watch the coaches, listen to what they say. Does it work? Is it positive or negative? How to the players react to the coaching? Do they understand? Do the coaches lose their temper or do they approach the game with class? What are the coaches teaching their players about life?

3. Educate yourself. Know the laws of the game. Invest in a rulebook. Watch referees, good and bad, learn how they control the flow, and how they don't. Learn what constitutes a yellow card and learn how to properly call fouls, offsides, direct and indirect kicks. Take a coaching class. Invest in your coaching education like you would your college education. Courses from US Soccer and the National Soccer Coaches' Association of America offer many different paths to coaching credentials.

4. Do it. There is simply no better way to learn than to do it on the job. Volunteer! Coaching jobs don't always pay, but the experience you will gain is priceless. Put in your time now, and worry about the paycheck later.

My last bit of advice, is be passionate. In everything you do. Even if you don't know a lick about whatever sport you'd like to coach, be as enthusiastic, open, and willing to learn as possible. You are about to embark on an incredible journey.

Just jump in.