There are many different sets of skills and traits needed to become an excellent coach. Majority of people not even in the profession could most likely name a few traits needed to be a good coach. I found an interesting article (http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/tipsandtricks/a/qualitycoach.htm) on how to become a good coach. They state a few important facts that every coach should pay attention to in order to successfully run his program.
One of the most important traits stated in this article would be to lead by example. They state that an effective coach follows the same rules he expects of the players. All coaches have a certain set of rules in which his team must follow, so he must make an example and follow them himself. All coaches also demand respect from their players, but to get respect you must show respect. A major part of a winning program is making sure your team has a positive attitude and out look on the future, so you as a coach must do the same thing the players are going to follow your beliefs if you show them strongly enough.
Another key component to being a good coach is you must be able to motivate players. If you put forward a positive attitude like I stated before as well as enthusiasm towards the game and the season, your team will follow you. This article states that “The ability to motivate and inspire is part of the formula for success,” which is very true. If you can inspire your team to play their hardest game in and game out, then you will have a successful season.
An obvious third trait needed is good communication skills. You must be an excellent speaker. You must be clear with your words so that people believe in you and follow your way. If there is any doubt in your skills as a leader and as a public speaker, no one is going to have faith in you. You must be able to explain game plans as well as motivate your team each and every game with a pre-game speech. If players do not believe in you, they will not listen.
A fourth trait, which is very important, is knowing your athletes. Not all athletes are the same. Knowing the differences in players, not only their physical abilities, but their personalities as well. If you have a kid who can not handle the pressure of being yelled at constantly, then you can not yell in their face or they will crumble. A key component to success is knowing how to handle each of your players different, as they are all separate individuals. Knowing the players personalities is a major part of the responsibilities of being a great coach.
One final trait a coach must have is that you must display commitment. Your players commit their lives during season as well as off season to the team, and they want to see that you are just as committed as well. All the great coaches got to where they are because they love their job and they love what they do. They commit themselves to the team and nothing else matters. If you can show that you are in it for the best interest of the players as well as the team, you will have people follow you and you will create an excellent and winning environment.
There are other essential traits needed to be a coach such as, general knowledge of the game, having an open mind to anything new the sport has to offer, organization, patience, media relations, as well as many others which I did not touch upon. I simply chose five major traits needed to succeed in this business.