The qualities and skills of a coach in martial arts involve many areas and can not be put in one or two categories. As a martial arts coach I need to develop many skills. Some of these are:
Knowledge of the sport; Martial art systems have their own specific skills, techniques, strategies. As a coach I need to know the system I teach well in order to develop athletes and pass on the knowledge. Lack of knowledge and skills will frustrate and risk injury with athletes.
Motivation: In order to teach I need to be motivated enough to take my time with students and work with them to teach them the skills and the drills. Lack of motivation will create an absence of space in coaching.
Empathy: I need to be able to understand feelings, thoughts, emotions of athletes and how they impact them.
Effective Communication: Coaching is communication and dimensional. Every act of coaching requires communication. Be able to receive/send messages, be active listener, be aware of non verbal communication and be aware of emotions/feelings of the content.
Coaching Style: It is important that the style of coaching is right for the sport. As a coach I need the balance that will allow me to be firm when I need to but also let athletes have fun and have their saying.
Teaching Method: Be aware of the teaching methods and use the effective one when needed.
Knowledge of Safety and Injury: Safety is very important and I need to know/make sure that sessions are conducted in a safe manner.
Knowledge of mental rehearsal/imagery: Mental rehearsal is very important in martial arts trainings and incorporated in our syllabus. I should be able to know enough to advice athletes about positive attitude, constructive mental rehearsal and relaxation.
Performance evaluation: Need to set goals and targets for the athletes for their development. I need to be able to measure and test to see that the goals are achieved. Evaluate the results and find out why, if an athlete is not reaches his goals within the sport.
Nutritional knowledge/legal supplements: If the athletes going to compete, they need to reach their peak performance by the time of the competition. To help them achieve this, their diet needs to be adjusted to help this. As a coach I should know how to advice on nutrition and if ever on legal supplements to help athlete for peak performance.
Ethics: National Governing Body and affiliated world federation ethics needs to be followed in coaching sessions. As a coach I have legal responsibilities.
Depending on the situation I also need o be an advisor, assessor, chauffeur, counselor, demonstrator, friend, facilitator and fact finder, fountain of knowledge, instructor, mentor, motivator, organizer and planner, supporter.
Isa Alemdag.
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