Coaching Skills and Ethical Practices: Communication, Risk Management, and Time Prioritization

Confident humility

Confident in your abilities while remaining open to learning

Credible communicator

Someone others can trust to communicate honestly and accurately

Acceptance

Making others feel valued, even when you don't agree

Resolving conflict

Able to address disagreements calmly and respectfully

Strategies to improve confident humility

Share mistakes and what you learned and how you grew, seek different viewpoints, repeatedly demo gratitude for stakeholders, take responsibility for failure, give others credit for success, seek feedback

Honesty, clarity, consistency, competence, respect

Characteristics of a credible communicator

Strategies to improve credible communicator skills

Displays empathy, listen, embody program, communicate honestly and clearly

Coaches communicating acceptance

Use encouraging and non-judgmental language, show genuine interest in each athlete, listen actively, create an inclusive team environment, provide individualized coaching, stay calm in emotional situations

CARE acronym

C: communicate, A: actively listen, R: review options, E: agree to disagree

Coach athlete relationship

Build trust, communicate, motivate, discipline

Coach staff/assistant coach relationship

Good staff relationships, smooth practices

Coach administrator/athletic director relationship

Align on goals, resources, and policy

Coach officials relationship

Cultivate a professional and respectful relationship with game officials, enhance sportsmanship, reduce conflict

Coach-parent relationship

Communicate clearly with parents, set expectations, and manage concerns; builds trust, reduces misunderstandings

Coach media/public relationship

Protects the team image and athlete privacy

Negligence

Failing to fulfill your legal duties

Questions to prove negligence

Did the coach have a duty of care, did the coach breach that duty, did the breach of duty cause the injury, were there actual damages of harm

Steps of the risk management process

a.      Identify risks

b.     Evaluate the risks

c.     Select the risk management approach

d.     Implement approach

Identify risks

The process of recognizing potential issues that could negatively impact the coaching environment or athlete safety.

Evaluate the risks

Assessing the identified risks to determine their potential impact and likelihood.

Select the risk management approach

Choosing a strategy to address and mitigate the evaluated risks.

Implement approach

Putting the selected risk management strategy into action.

Legal duties of a coach

Responsibilities that a coach must understand and adhere to, including planning, safety, and athlete welfare.

Properly plan the activity

Creating a structured outline for coaching sessions to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Provide proper instruction

Delivering clear and accurate guidance to athletes to enhance their skills and understanding.

Warn of inherent risks

Informing athletes about the natural dangers associated with the sport or activity.

Provide a safe physical environment

Ensuring that the coaching space is free from hazards and conducive to safe practice.

Provide adequate and proper equipment

Supplying athletes with the necessary tools and gear that meet safety standards.

Match your athletes appropriately

Grouping athletes based on their skill level, size, and experience to ensure fair competition.

Evaluate athletes for injury or incapacity

Assessing athletes' physical condition to determine their readiness to participate.

Supervise the activity closely

Monitoring athletes during practice or competition to ensure safety and compliance.

Provide appropriate emergency assistance

Being prepared to offer first aid or emergency care when needed.

Protect against physical and psychological harm from others

Ensuring a safe environment free from bullying or abuse.

Keep records

Maintaining documentation of athlete performance, attendance, and incidents.

Provide safe transportation

Ensuring that athletes are transported safely to and from events.

Follow due process

Adhering to legal and ethical standards in all coaching practices.

Pursue proper training

Engaging in ongoing education to enhance coaching skills and knowledge.

Waivers and participation agreements

Legal documents that outline the risks and responsibilities of athletes and their guardians.

Insurance

Coverage that protects coaches and organizations from liability claims.

Stephen Covey's time management matrix

A framework for prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance.

Q1: necessity

Tasks that are urgent and important, such as crises and emergency meetings.

Q2: effectiveness

Tasks that are not urgent but important, focusing on proactive work and long-term goals.

Q3: distraction

Tasks that are urgent but not important, often involving interruptions and minor issues.

Q4: waste

Tasks that are neither urgent nor important, often considered time-wasting activities.

Coaching careers skills

Essential skills for coaches beyond technical knowledge, including communication and leadership.

Importance of professional organization membership

Provides support, resources, and networking opportunities for coaches.

Importance of continuing education for coaches

Ensures coaches stay updated on new information and best practices in sports.

Examples of continuing education opportunities

Includes coaching clinics, workshops, and certifications such as CPR and first aid.