Hockey is one of the most popular sports in the world and with good reason! Not only is it incredibly fun to watch, but it can also be a lot of competition when you are playing yourself! It is a sport that has been around for over 100 years and has been played by the upper classes in England since the 1800s. Today, it is a sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages and classes and is played almost everywhere you look.
While watching the sport is a joy, becoming a coach or teacher and passing on your love for the game is even more satisfying! However, not all coaches and teachers are created equal, and while some have turned their passion for the game into a profession, others have not. If you are considering a career in hockey, here are some essential tips on how to become a successful coach.
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Find Your Passion
If you are reading this, it is clear that you have found your way to Canada Through Sports. You have determined that field hockey is a game worth exploring and are committed to making the transition successfully! It is time for you to shine!
While there is a lot of crossover between different sports, each one has its separate specialties. For example, you may be very good at passing, but if you aren’t the strongest or quickest on your feet, you will struggle as a running back. Every coach and every team member has a role to play, and while it is always great to have players who are naturally talented, it is essential that everyone knows their role.
Make Sure You Know The Rules
One of the first things you will learn as a coach is the game’s rules! Even experienced coaches and teachers can have a tough time remembering all the technicalities of the game, especially since they change so often. It is essential to know what the rules are so that you do not get penalized for violating them. For example, there are sometimes penalties for entering the field of play with the ball (this applies to all sports), and there is always one goalie who is shielded from attack by the other team (in most sports). You must learn and be aware of these rules if you want to become a successful coach; otherwise, you will inevitably make mistakes that can cost you the match!
Join A Society
One of the best things you can do for your career is to join a hockey society! There are many different clubs and teams that play throughout Canada and the United States that you can join, and many of them are open to individuals who are interested in coaching or teaching. Joining a Hockey Society is a great way to meet other people who are passionate about the game, make some lifelong friends, and even become a bit of a social network yourself! Many coaches and teachers recommend joining a hockey society since it gives you access to a pool of players who can help you learn the game, as well as the ability to connect with people who can help you further your career in hockey!
Do Research
Doing some research is essential, whether you are a teacher or a coach. There are many different methods of teaching and many different styles of coaching, all of which can be effective provided you know which one to use! Some coaches prefer to use a more structured approach, while others prefer to come up with their own drills and exercises. The style of coaching you choose will depend on your own personality, the style of team you are training, and the age of the players you are working with. One thing is for sure – just because a coach is effective in one environment does not mean that they will be equally as good in another!
Get A Degree
Teaching is a challenging profession, and it is a requirement that you obtain a teaching degree to become a successful coach. There are many different types of teaching degrees, with most coaches recommending a Master’s degree in Educational Administration or Supervision due to the increasing complexity of sports the modern teacher will need to oversee. However, if you want to specialize in physical education or health, you can become a primary school teacher without having to obtain a master’s degree.
Develop Your Skills
If you are serious about becoming a successful coach, you will need to develop your skills. This is as much as it is about developing your mind as much as your body! If you are a good learner who is determined to succeed, there are many resources available to you, and most major sports and coaching associations recommend, or even require, their members to continually learn and develop skills. If you are serious about coaching, you must ensure that you are up to date with the latest trends and techniques as well as be able to connect with and inspire your players to do their best. Most importantly, you must have fun! If you do not have fun while coaching, then you are doing it wrong! Developing your skills includes learning how to plan and prepare for practices, games, and meetings as well as learning how to motivate and guide your players through tough times while also ensuring that they have fun!
Be Confident
Being confident is essential if you want to become a successful coach. Being confident means that you believe in yourself and know your own strengths and weaknesses. It also means that you do not apologize for being the best at what you do. The better you are at your job, the more confident you should be. Having confidence means that you can approach each practice, each game, and each meeting with optimism and positivity. Your players will sense that you are confident, and they will respond accordingly!
As much as it is important to know the rules and regulations of the game, it is also important to remember that there are various styles of play that can be effective in helping you win. You must be prepared to learn from different styles of coaches and teachers, all of whom may have their own way of approaching the sport.
Be Professional
Being professional is important when you are a coach. Being professional means treating your players and the people you work with with respect, honesty, and sincerity. Most importantly, you must act in a manner that is consistent with the standards of practice and be willing to accept responsibility for your actions. If you want to be seen as a professional, you must be seen as a professional – whether that is by your players, your colleagues, or yourself!
If you want to be a successful coach, you must be prepared to accept responsibility for your actions and the results they produce. If you want to be a persuasive and convincing coach, you must be dedicated to presenting your arguments in a fair and principled way – something that is not easy to do if your head is elsewhere! Being professional includes being fully prepared for each practice, each game, and each meeting with your players, and ensuring that everything is recorded accurately and with integrity.
Follow The Guidelines
All coaches and teachers are not created equal, and some may be better suited for certain jobs than others. For example, speed coaches are usually great for developing speedy players, while strength coaches are usually great for developing strong players. Knowing what your guidelines are beforehand and strictly following them will ensure a successful transition into the world of coaching.
Take Care Of Your Health
Taking care of your health is extremely important if you want to become a successful coach. Being physically strong is crucial for the role, as is having a clear mind – both of which can be affected by poor health. If you want to be at your best, it is essential that you ensure you have sufficiently rested and eaten well before each practice, each game, and each meeting with your players. This will help improve your performance and that of your team!
Be Ready To Accept Challenge
No matter what stage you are at in life, there will always be someone who is better than you at something. This is true for coaches as much as it is for anyone else. Since you will be working hard to improve your skills and gain experience you must be ready to accept challenge and grow with the sport.
Challenge means engaging your mind and using your skills to solve problems – whether these are problems your players face or the problems that crop up during the course of a game! The better you are at solving problems, the more you will grow as a coach. The worst thing you can do is to avoid challenge and problems because you think that you are “too old” or “not smart enough” to learn new things.