Coaching to Win?
Are coaches only concerned with winning in sports? When it comes to coaching, many people believe that coaches are only concerned with winning and losing. Where many disagree, however, is on the point that many good coaches actually care about changing their athletes for the better. Although coaches would like to win, they are not all about winning as they want to teach athletes motivation for success, instruction for immediate results, and preparation for life success.
First of all, motivation is a key aspect in being successful in many situations. In “Why Sports Matter,” Wilfrid Sheed introduces the statement of “But the coach starts out with his group already at white heat: these kids will work for him to a degree unimaginable in a classroom…” (494). In other words, the coach and athletes share a common goal to achieve. The coach is only there to advise and motivate the athlete to work harder to obtain his or her goal. Furthermore, coaches need to teach the athletes to find motivation in every task as this can be useful later on in life. Many tend to believe that the only way coaches motivate athletes is by shouting at them to compete for the win, but good coaches use different techniques. In “Living Well: When coaches and parents put too much emphasis on winning, kids may drop out” by Bob Condor, the author argues that “...athletes like structure and organization, but coaches should save the drill-sergeant approach” (par. 23). He argues that players do not like the drill-sergeant approach and that good coaches would know that and find other methods to motivate athletes. Motivating athletes is key in being successful in sports, but coaches do not only motivate to win.
Next, instruction is important to young athletes looking for immediate success. Instruction from coaches is often hard for athletes to accept. Condor argues that good coaches know how to respond and instruct athletes: “Highly supportive coaches respond to positive behaviors such as effort, good conduct, and following the rules with positive reinforcement. Those same coaches respond to mistakes with encouragement and technical instruction rather than criticism” (par. 18). Condor’s point is that these coaches positively instruct players for immediate success. Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean that coaches are focused on only winning. By coaching in this manner, the athletes learn how to conduct themselves after mistakes, put forth effort, and accept criticism with a positive attitude. Coaches may be striving for immediate results such as a win, but they are additionally teaching valuable life skills that are difficult to learn elsewhere.
Finally, athletes need to be prepared for life, and coaches have a major role in their preparation. Coaches are given the tough job of guiding young athletes in the right direction. The athletes need discipline to be successful later in life. Sheed argues that “At least the young athletes have learned discipline from somewhere [coaches], and there are no harder workers than jocks or ex-jocks if they can be made to see the point of it as clearly as they see the point of sports” (494). Basically, Sheed is saying that the coaches have taught their athletes the true value of discipline. The coaches have taught them new skills to use when dealt with high stress situations in order to be more successful. Sheed additionally states, “Above all, every kind of athlete knows what many other students never will, that nothing can be learned without discipline” (494). This discipline is important later in life as they use discipline to accomplish tough tasks. Consequently, many argue that these lessons just come with the coaches desire to win. Any successful coach cares about their athletes and their success. The coach’s and athletes’ close connection through sports creates an easy platform that these lessons can easily be taught without notice. Coaches and athletes may want to win, but are not only focused on winning and losing, but they are also focused on learning to succeed in life.
In conclusion, coaches and athletes alike have the desire to win, but that is not the only focus that they share. Coaches have a great impact on athlete’s lives in many ways they teach life lessons to young athletes. Lessons on winning are only small part of the ideas that are being taught to the young athletes of today. The coaches’ impact can teach athletes motivation, instruction, and preparation for life situations.
Works Cited
Condor, Bob. "Living Well: When Coaches and Parents Put Too Much Emphasis on Winning, Kids May Drop out." Seattlepi.com. Seattle PI, 29 Sept. 2004. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.
Sheed, Wilfrid. "Why Sports Matter." They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 489-511. Print
First of all, motivation is a key aspect in being successful in many situations. In “Why Sports Matter,” Wilfrid Sheed introduces the statement of “But the coach starts out with his group already at white heat: these kids will work for him to a degree unimaginable in a classroom…” (494). In other words, the coach and athletes share a common goal to achieve. The coach is only there to advise and motivate the athlete to work harder to obtain his or her goal. Furthermore, coaches need to teach the athletes to find motivation in every task as this can be useful later on in life. Many tend to believe that the only way coaches motivate athletes is by shouting at them to compete for the win, but good coaches use different techniques. In “Living Well: When coaches and parents put too much emphasis on winning, kids may drop out” by Bob Condor, the author argues that “...athletes like structure and organization, but coaches should save the drill-sergeant approach” (par. 23). He argues that players do not like the drill-sergeant approach and that good coaches would know that and find other methods to motivate athletes. Motivating athletes is key in being successful in sports, but coaches do not only motivate to win.
Next, instruction is important to young athletes looking for immediate success. Instruction from coaches is often hard for athletes to accept. Condor argues that good coaches know how to respond and instruct athletes: “Highly supportive coaches respond to positive behaviors such as effort, good conduct, and following the rules with positive reinforcement. Those same coaches respond to mistakes with encouragement and technical instruction rather than criticism” (par. 18). Condor’s point is that these coaches positively instruct players for immediate success. Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean that coaches are focused on only winning. By coaching in this manner, the athletes learn how to conduct themselves after mistakes, put forth effort, and accept criticism with a positive attitude. Coaches may be striving for immediate results such as a win, but they are additionally teaching valuable life skills that are difficult to learn elsewhere.
Finally, athletes need to be prepared for life, and coaches have a major role in their preparation. Coaches are given the tough job of guiding young athletes in the right direction. The athletes need discipline to be successful later in life. Sheed argues that “At least the young athletes have learned discipline from somewhere [coaches], and there are no harder workers than jocks or ex-jocks if they can be made to see the point of it as clearly as they see the point of sports” (494). Basically, Sheed is saying that the coaches have taught their athletes the true value of discipline. The coaches have taught them new skills to use when dealt with high stress situations in order to be more successful. Sheed additionally states, “Above all, every kind of athlete knows what many other students never will, that nothing can be learned without discipline” (494). This discipline is important later in life as they use discipline to accomplish tough tasks. Consequently, many argue that these lessons just come with the coaches desire to win. Any successful coach cares about their athletes and their success. The coach’s and athletes’ close connection through sports creates an easy platform that these lessons can easily be taught without notice. Coaches and athletes may want to win, but are not only focused on winning and losing, but they are also focused on learning to succeed in life.
In conclusion, coaches and athletes alike have the desire to win, but that is not the only focus that they share. Coaches have a great impact on athlete’s lives in many ways they teach life lessons to young athletes. Lessons on winning are only small part of the ideas that are being taught to the young athletes of today. The coaches’ impact can teach athletes motivation, instruction, and preparation for life situations.
Works Cited
Condor, Bob. "Living Well: When Coaches and Parents Put Too Much Emphasis on Winning, Kids May Drop out." Seattlepi.com. Seattle PI, 29 Sept. 2004. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.
Sheed, Wilfrid. "Why Sports Matter." They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 489-511. Print