Coaching Philosophy- Samantha Yannuzzi

Through my own past experiences, is clear that coaches have a great amount of
responsibility, but also possibility to influence students and their players throughout their lives.
Such responsibilities include being a positive role model that can reflect respect for themselves
and others, sportsmanship, and responsibility for students to follow. The vision for my program
will be to provide athletes not only with skill acquisition and technique, but also grow their
communication skills, critical thinking through strategies, and respect for themselves and others.
In terms of program goals and ethical practices, as a coach I will project the importance
of a student-centered approach as a main teaching style in order to project the importance of
athletes working together as a team, instead of as individuals on a common goal. In accordance
with the New York State coaching standards, drawing focuses from the cognitive, psychomotor,
and affective domains Will be a critical way in which I will ensure my athletes are learning. By
having collaboration through a student-centered coaching approach, not only will the athletes be
practicing skills, but also working on strategies, and socialization with other teammates.
Building an effective relationship with all players in the community will be a focus of
mine. Part of building a relationship with players and the community greatly involves the respect
of others. My methods for building effective relationships will be through mutual respect. By
taking part in community clinics and competitions, I believe that athletes will take that chance to
gain relationships with those that share their love for the sport and open their minds to new
perspectives. In addition to this, creating a safe, positive, engaging environment will be a critical
part to the program that I will run. A safe environment and a positive environment encompass
many different aspects, as well as equal opportunities. I will be sure to run my program around
the basis of respect for all. Whether this be teammates, other coaches, game officials, or
competitors, it will be made clear that respect is to be given to the community as a whole. It is
not just them that they are representing, but to respect the jersey they are wearing and the school
that they are representing. No foul language will be allowed, and sportsmanship will be held in
the highest account.
When conducting practices and preparing for competition, I believe that the season of any
sport should begin with a self-assessment in which students reflect on things that they believe
they can improve on and that they want to focus on getting better at. Whether that be writing it
down, or just internalizing things that they need to improve on, it will give a basis on what
techniques or skills to begin practicing. Another tactic I will use for preparing for competition
and striving for improvement will be the use of film in order for student athletes to analyze their
movements as individuals and as a team. This will not only help in terms of communication with
others, but also constructive criticism respectful manner from other athletes.
I know that as a coach I will find myself having to make difficult decisions, and
situations regarding not only players, but parents and other coaches as well. Often times, the
public hears about situations in which a coach’s determination for success is only defined by
either winning or losing. My philosophy values skill acquisition and social and personal
responsibility over winning, and that will be made clear. I feel very strongly that success is not
determined by simply winning or losing in a competition, but by improving in skill, strategy, and
social and personal responsibility and the progress made towards the end goal of the team.
An important goal for myself as a coach, it’s to reflect on progressivism from John
Dewey, which directly involves my athletes being able to except a task and use the knowledge
that is not only presented to them in the moment, but also reflect on past experiences through
other games, competitions, and practice in order to make progress towards success. As a coach, it
is my responsibility to provide my athletes with the tools they need to learn with an open mind,
maintain sportsmanship at all times, and work together to work towards the success of the team
as a whole.