Coaching Mentality

        In running sports, I feel like the role of a coach is downplayed a little bit compared to other sports in the mind of the general public. This is most likely because in other sports, coaches are front and center and play an active role in the outcome of the game by giving instructions and plays, while in running, there is relatively little instruction that can be given to competitors, and when there is, the encounter is rarely seen by the spectators. However, coaches do play a vital role in the training of their athletes, especially if they are teaching relatively inexperienced high school students.

        Coaches not only create a training program for their athletes and make sure that they stick to it, but they also set the vibe of the practices and season. To me, the latter is almost equally, if not more important than the former. Coaches help their athletes thrive to the best of their ability to reach each individuals potential. They provide the direction and a platform in which each athlete can prosper and improve, or at least that is what the role of an ideal coach is. Like I was saying though, worrying about the physical aspects of running is not the only job of a coach. Coaches must also work to nurture the emotional and mental aspects of running in their athletes.  

        Track season last year was a rather interesting experience for many of the students on our team, and it really stood out in my mind a testament to the importance of a coach. I truly respect my coach an he was with me for my first two year of high school in both cross country and track. My sophomore season felt different though, and not in a positive way. Our coach almost seemed to disregard his team as a whole. Now to be fair, we later found out that he was going though a lot of tragic family issues, issues that slipped there way through my coach and altered the chemistry and mentality of the entire team.

        Our coach often seemed to hid in strange places during our meets when we needed him, and he never talked to us. He also rarely cheered for us during meets. He made practices feel off and sent out a vibe in which he was perpetually disappointed in everyone on the team. He did occasionally let a few positive words escape from his lips at times or give one of his signature awkward side hugs if he was in an exceptionally good mood, but overall, the atmosphere of the season was negative. 

        Students seemed to be far more down on themselves last year than my freshman year, and everyone was so negative and disappointed. ( But I mean I guess that is the physiological effect of having your coach tell you that you could have gone faster when you got a PR.) The team began to fall apart, people left before the meets were even done and sometimes even claimed that they were injured so they wouldn't have to run in their race. Our coach seemed to have no expectations for us, and that just hurt our feeling, making us seem as if we were not good enough, so that is how we preformed. Like my mom always says, confidence is key, and we definitely didn't have much of that.

        I feel like I am griping too much on my coach, because I do feel that he is a good coach, just not last track season. This cross country season however, his attitude seemed to reverse itself. The team was very close and he let off an almost eerie air of pride and support. It was more than I had ever experienced, and you know what? I personally did better than my sophomore year, not to mention that I had a lot more fun.

        Use this example as an experiment into the physiological effects that coaches and expectations can have on a team, and try to radiate enjoyment and pride in yourself and your teammates no matter how your coach is acting so that you can all focus solely on getting better as a team and enjoying your season.