Part I: Developing Your Coaching Philosophy
Objective: Define, identify and develop a coaching philosophy
What Do We Mean by Philosophy?
There are many more similarities than differences in teaching and coaching athletes with and without intellectual disabilities. Athletes are athletes; coaching is coaching; teaching is teaching and learning is learning. The major difference you will encounter in coaching Special Olympics athletes is that they may learn at a slower pace. Regardless, you will still need to develop a coaching philosophy and style that will enable your athletes to meet their performance goals and develop sportsmanship.
As you begin developing your coaching philosophy, ask yourself these important questions. The answers to these questions will impact your every thought, every action and your every decision you make as a coach. You bring your thoughts and ideas from each facet of your life in developing your coaching philosophy.
- Why am I coaching?
- Who am I coaching?
- What kind of coach do I want to be?
