Category: Karate kids

Ontario Coaching Conference 19

Marriott Markham, Ont.

Kicking It Into High Gear:

Using Evidence To Transform Your Coaching Practice

Presenter: Dr. Jean Coté – Queen’s University

My first Ontario Coaching Conference, I am a coach and a member of the Coaches Association of Ontario, so I thought this is something I should attend. As an active coach I have a busy schedule and I registered for one day only. I planned to attend from 3 PM onwards. I am very happy I attended even though I only managed to attend one seminar. My intention had been to attend a few of the seminars but some unexpected issues came up that required my attention. If I had not felt a sense of satisfaction with the first seminar I attended I likely would have made more of an effort to attend other seminars that day.

The seminar I attended, Using Evidence To Transform Your Coaching Practice, was presented by Dr. Jean Coté in a clear and concise manner, well laid out and easy to grasp. The seminar was a confirmation to me that I was on the correct path with my coaching practice. 

To summarize the seminar content, the following was discussed.

Transformational Coaching is Effective Coaching, to define Effective Coaching qualities, as Professional, Interpersonal and Intra-personal, which equals Knowledge and Behaviours. That knowledge and those behaviours have a direct effect on the athletes – competence,  confidence, connection and character. These are the four C’s of an athletes development.    

Dr. Coté reviewed how the three coaching qualities are related to the four-C’s. Using an overhead projector, a diagram of a circle came up and in the centre ring you have professional, the inner ring had the term interpersonal within it, and the outer ring intra-personal.

The terms were explained as, professional is the knowledge the coach brings to the practice. Interpersonal is the coaching style, the type of coach, the personality, if you will. Intra-personal is the review of how your coaching practice has worked, what works and what doesn’t work and how you will change it, or make it work, a review of the practice plan.

A form of graph was projected on the screen, a plus sign, “+” and it was labelled with “Effective” at the top and “Ineffective” at the bottom. The right side of the cross was labeled “Engaged” and the left side “Not Engaged”.

Interpersonal leadership/coaching behaviours were charted on the graph and Coté discussed how these were arrived at. In the bottom right hand section was indicated Toxic Leadership and gave some examples of how this could be considered engaged, yet ineffective. In the opposite section was indicated Dis-interested Leadership, which would be located in the not engaged and ineffective section. In the centre you have Neutral Leadership such as Transactional Leadership. The reward punishment style of coaching. In the top right side quadrant was located Transformational Leadership and some examples were given of how this style is most effective and engaged.

Dr. Coté discussed how the four – I’s of Transformational Leadership qualities should be incorporated.

The four – I’s are:

1.) Idealized Influence = Practice What You Preach

2.) Inspired Motivation = Believe In Your Athletes

3.) Intellectual Stimulation = Involve Athletes in the Coaching Process

4.) Individualized Consideration = Person Centred Approach

He then went on to discuss the eleven behaviours of Transformational Leadership.

1.) Discuss and model pro-social values and procedures

2.) Showing vulnerability and humility

3.) Discussing goals and expectations

4.) Expressing confidence in athletes

5.) Implementing a collective vision

6.) Providing meaningful and challenging tasks

7.) Eliciting athlete input

8.) Sharing decision making and leadership

9.) Emphasizing the learning process

10.) Showing interest in athletes feelings and perspectives

11.) Recognizing the athletes accomplishments and contributions

During the seminar Dr. Coté touched briefly on the 10,000 hour rule to perfection and how that idea had been recently debunked. This was in relation to performing repetition to perfection. Have a child do 10,000 front kicks and he/she will have a perfect front kick, however you may never see them at practice again.

He spoke of diversity between sports and diversity within sport. Having children vary the sport, trying different sports and sampling other sports.

The idea of retention of athletes and how to go about that.  Make the sport enjoyable so that the athletes want to return. Have a balance in your coaching practice that incorporates skill, leadership and fun in your program. Incorporate more focus on the individual and how the athlete of today can become the coach of tomorrow.

In conclusion, I found the seminar enjoyable, educational and most importantly, affirming my coaching style. I also noted areas that I can certainly improve upon. I am going to make every effort to refine my coaching skills and to polish the eleven behaviours of Transformational Leadership. 

 

Copyright © 2019 Paul Yanuziello, All rights reserved.