ELECTIVE ATHLETICS

COACHING
 “I think athletics
“There’s no has so much to
coach at our offer young “To meet
school / club” people” people”

“To earn
“I want to give money”
something
back” Why coach?

“To achieve
“To help people personal
“My children fulfil their ambition”
are involved” potential”

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IAAF CECS Level II Coaching
Theory
 Developing a coaching philosophy in
Athletics
What is philosophy?
• the way you see situations and experiences in your life

• the way you view people and

• develop relationships with them

• the value you put on all of these

 Your Coaching Philosophy

• ……guides your choices in Athletics……..

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IAAF CECS Level II Coaching
Theory
What is coaching?
• to help someone prepare for something.
• the organized provision of assistance to an individual
athlete or group of athletes in order to help them develop
and improve.
 Because their Meet other
Have fun
friends do it people, make
friends

Why did your athletes get involved in athletics?

Achieve success

Develop their
sport skills
Get fit

As a coach you need to know what motivates your athletes.

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IAAF CECS Level II Coaching
Theory
The role of a coach
• Teacher • Administrator
• Trainer • Social Worker
• Instructor • Leader
• Motivator • Friend
• Disciplinarian • Scientist
• Manager • Student.
Developing a coaching philosophy

Knowledge of yourself Knowledge of objectives/goals

• Knowing who you are • Knowing what you want
Why do you coach or want to coach? to achieve
What do you value most in coaching? Winning
Are you, or will you be, Fun
proud of how you act as a coach?
Athlete Development
 Athlete-centred approach
• placing the needs of the athlete before everything else – the
activity, competition, your personal goals/ambitions, the
parents’ goals/ambitions
• ensuring all athletes are welcomed to participate, are valued
and encouraged to explore their own potential
• where coaches treat each athlete as an individual with
unique needs, interests and goals
• recognising the importance of providing a fun and safe
environment
• where athletes are encouraged to be involved in their own
development and empowered to take greater responsibility
for it.
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IAAF CECS Level II Coaching
Theory
 Athlete Development
– the Long Term Approach

• The essential role of the coach is to help the development

of athletes to reach their full athletic potential
• This means that a long term approach should be
considered for all athletes before short term dates are set
for athletics competitions.

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IAAF CECS Level II Coaching
Theory
 “Athletes First, Winning Second”
It means:

• Athletics is seen as one aspect of a person’s life – not his

whole life
• there is respect and appreciation of the coach and his work
• athletes decide with the coach the importance of
competitions and strive to meet their joint expectations
• there is respect for the laws and spirit of fair competition –
expressed as “Fair Play for all”
• athletes reaching their potential is seen as success
• there is respect for both opponents and officials.

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IAAF CECS Level II Coaching
Theory
Philosophy and coaching styles
Coaching and Leadership style comes from:

• Your Coaching Philosophy

• Your Personality

• Your Skill as a Coach.

 Coaching Styles

TELLING SHOWING INVOLVING

heavy on command and emphasis on
instruction demonstration, this is how
to do it
Coach led Coach led
Coach centred Coach and athlete centred
Coach makes all decisions Coach invites questions
and ideas but then makes
the decisions
Useful with large group Useful with practical skills,
where safety is paramount with novices and younger
or time is short athletes
uses self-discovery and
questioning to raise
awareness
Athlete - led
Athlete - centred
Coach uses questions to
raise awareness, athlete
makes decisions
Use whenever possible,
maximises learning and
retention of what is
learned

Now relate this to your own coaching 15practice and the effect on the athletes.
IAAF CECS Level II Coaching
Theory
 The Coach-Athlete Relationship

There are three basic models for the coach-athlete relationship:

• The Escort System
• The Partnership System
• The Transfer System

Which ever is used must be

the ‘right fit’ for the coach
and athlete.

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IAAF CECS Level II Coaching
Theory
 IAAF Code of Ethics for Coaches

• the basic principle of the IAAF Code of Ethics for Coaches

is that ‘fair play’ is a fundamental part of our sport
• the development of fair play or sportsmanlike behaviours
and attitudes is not an automatic consequence of
participating in Athletics
• these fair play behaviours can be learned from the coach
who provides a positive role model and applies consistent,
clear reinforcement for what are desirable and undesirable
behaviours
• your role as a coach is, therefore, crucial as an
ambassador, educator and guardian of the ethical values of
fair play within Athletics.

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IAAF CECS Level II Coaching
Theory
 IAAF Code of Ethics

What are the main points of the IAAF Code of Ethics for
Coaches?

Coaches must:
• respect athletes, other coaches, officials and rules
• help athletes to develop independence
• have the required competence through ongoing experience
and education
• behave in a way which respects the coaching and athletics
community.

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IAAF CECS Level II Coaching
Theory
 Drugs in Sport
Drugs are banned because:
• they are a form of cheating
• they can provide long term medical problems for the
athletes who use them

How do we remove drugs from Athletics?

• education of Coaches
• education of Athletes
• testing
• punishment.

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IAAF CECS Level II Coaching
Theory