Aug 10, 2007
NF Fundamentals of Coaching

NFHS Coaching Education Program

NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching

This course begins by emphasizing that coachs work with students rather than student-athletes. Interscholastic athletics is about learning through participation and using athletics as an extension of the classroom. The courses philosophy is Student first-Athlete Second.

· The primary purpose of interscholastic athletics is the Promotion of Learning. The teachable moments and lessons learned on the playing field are vital to the overall development of each individual.

· Top 5 educational outcomes are the (1) promotion of learning, and the development of (2) life skills, (3) healthy lifestyle, (4) sportsmanship, and (5) citizenship.

· The course places emphasis on how interscholastic athletics becomes a part of the educational process.

· The role of the teacher/coach reaches far beyond the ability to teach sport skills. The lessons taught will impact student lives after athletics has ended.

· The student-centered coaching philosophys goal is the positive development of each student.

· The place of winning: (1) Win with class, lose with dignity (2) Winning at the high school level is a pleasant by-product of what a teacher/coach should be doing which is developing young people to be good citizens. (3) Winning and losing provide teachable moments that a teacher/coach can use to teach important life lessons. (4) Teach your students to compete and try to win. (5) The striving and total investment in the process of winning is crucial to being a successful interscholastic coach.

· When winning becomes the only way an individual or program can feel successful it sets the stage for moral and ethical challenges  if winning is everything, then an individual will do anything to win.

· The second unit of the course covers teacher/coach responsibilities related to organization and management, including the health and well-being of students.

· The third unit of the course helps coaches understand how interpersonal skills impact the student experience and athletic performance.

· The fourth unit of the course helps coaches develop an effective training program for students.

· The fifth unit of the course helps coaches understand the role of the teacher/coach in the learning process.