Qualities of a fitness coach

Sport and fitness coaching is not just teaching or giving training to students, but it’s an art as well as a science. A great coach must have vast knowledge, good communication skills, and should act as a role model for students. These qualities help students to bring out the desired results on the playing field. The main aim of great coaching is to guide, inspire, and empower an athlete to realize and develop their full potential.

Being a great coach is not easy, It requires to find a unique set of talents and skills. Mentioned below are some of the best qualities of good sports and fitness coach. These qualities may help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of different coaching programs. 

1. A coach must have good knowledge about the Sport: From the fundamental skills to advanced tactics and strategy, the coach must have an in-depth understanding of the sport to teach effectively. Coaches may have experience playing, but not all former players do not have to make a good coach. Coaches must, know the progressive nature of training adaptation, know the rules, and must provide a positive, simple, and structured environment for athletes to succeed.
2. A coach must seek New Information: A good coach should not settle for less. For instance, if he/she knows a great deal about a sport they must continue to learn and develop new training techniques. Staying up to date and follow new methods, research, training, and rehab information, attending coaching clinics, camps, and seeking out tips and tricks from elite coaches and athletes is a sign of a great coach. Watching sport-related videos, reading books, studying periodicals can also be useful. Attending classes of sports psychology, nutrition, and exercise physiology is a great idea and easily accessible for any coach who wants to grow and improve.
3. A coach must have good communication skills: An effective coach is someone who communicates well and exudes credibility, competence, respect, and authority. One must be clear and consistent. For instance, he/she should be clear enough to make players understand all the rules and regulations. One should always set defined goals, give direct feedback, and reinforce the key messages. Acknowledging success is also important for good communication.
4.  Disciplined: Be it on and off the field, athletes need to adhere to a reasonable set of rules, and if these are ignored the coach is responsible for discipline. The effective coach clearly states a code of conduct and adheres to it. At the time of violence, it is a responsibility of a coach to maintain proper discipline and must resolve the problem. 

Being strongly committed to the field of sport and success, the best coaches display a clear commitment to looking out for the best interest of the individual players.

By- Sakshi Bhardwaj