Coaching Athletics in Educational
Environments
written by Deborah
Cadorette, Clemson University
This article will cover three topics
in preparation for a new school year:
- The importance of administrators requiring coaches certification/credentialing
through our national professional organization,
- basic information about the National
Standards for Sport Coaches,
- and a brief opinion regarding the
philosophy of middle school athletics.
 We
all understand the powerful influence athletic coaches can
be in the lives of student-athletes, and within the community
itself. Let us move in the direction of recognizing coaches
as professional educators by requiring coaching certification/credentialing.
Few veteran coaches welcome the news
that they will be required to become "certified"
as a coach. Yet as teachers they are required to participate
in graduate level courses, or district sponsored activities
and workshops that meet the certificate renewal requirements
for their state teaching certification. Coaches are professional
educators. A majority of coaches seek opportunities to attend
clinics and conferences to learn from elite coaches, collegiate
coaches, and even the pros. This may allow coaches to acquire
a few new strategies and drills, yet serve little or no information
regarding the national standards for sport coaches or assist
in defining a philosophy that addresses coaching in educational
settings.
Many of the workshops and sport clinics
attended by high school coaches today could introduce the
standards, and encourage coaches to become certified in a
program acknowledged by the National
Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE).
There are approved coaching courses that can be taken online
and teach everything from basic, to advanced fundamentals
of coaching. They focus on coaching the student-athlete in
a positive environment using supportive communication methods.
These courses could be offered as
a means of teacher certification renewal for teacher/coaches,
and encourage recreation programs to participate in basic
coaching fundamental courses. With this knowledge interscholastic
coaches will be more effective coaches in an educational environment,
and youth sport coaches will serve the athletes in making
the transition from youth sports to interscholastic athletics.
There are few interscholastic coaches
currently employed by school districts who have participated
in a nationally recognized program in coaching fundamentals,
coaching principles, or coaching education. There are courses
approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching
Education (NCACE) that are available online
and developed especially to meet the needs of the sport coache's
demanding schedule.
The National Federation of High Schools
(NFHS) offers such a program and has designed an incredibly
helpful web
site where administrators can access reinforcement with
an athletic philosophy that supports the educational mission.
Leadership comes from the top, and often times school administrators
who require coaches to adhere to a philosophy where academics
are an integral part of an athletic program - earn the respect
and credibility of the coaches under their supervision.
Administrators can and should require
coaches to take courses, some of which are free. Continuing
education credit is available through the National Federation.
In addition, coaches can direct parents to the web
site where they will learn the interscholastic athletic
program objectives. With this plan of action coaches and parents
throughout the nation can acquire a unified understanding
of the desired mission and objectives for athletic programs
in education in the United States.
The money it costs for a coach to become certified with NFHS
is reasonable, and varies among states as the state athletic
association from each state assisted in establishing the price
of each course for their state coaches. Any school board member
or superintendent of schools across the nation would be wise
to accept these NFHS courses as part of renewal certification
requirements for interscholastic coaches who are certified
teachers. Certified coaches provide a safer, more positive
environment for their athletes, and school districts that
require coaching certification are publicly stating that the
welfare of the student-athlete is a priority.
Coach certification/credentialing should be a requirement
(rather than strongly recommended) by every state athletic
association. As an administrator or school board member I
would want my district coaches to complete a recognized coaching
fundamentals certification program that also educates coaches
about hydration, concussions and emergency care. Each state
department of education should make every effort to adopt
the philosophy expressed by the National Federation of High
Schools for middle and high school activities. NFHS clearly
defines the mission of the athletic program and the role of
those involved.
The welfare of the students attending our schools is a priority
for all administration, staff, end employees working in the
school system. This is an excellent reason for ALL employees
to be trained and certified in first aid and CPR. Can you
imagine a child suddenly dropping to the floor during the
school day, unconscious, possibly not breathing, and no one
prepared to deal with that emergency immediately? Calling
911 is not a solution when an incident requires immediate
response. District in-service should include the credentialing
of all employees in first aid and CPR.
NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR SPORT COACHES: basic information
The following information is taken directly from The
National Standards for Sport Coaches, Second Edition,
2006, where they are careful to explain that the standards
and benchmarks address only the most common and essential
elements of coaching due to the diversity of sports and skill/competitive
levels of athletes and teams being coached.
There are three levels of coaching education, 1 (basic),
2 (intermediate) and 3 (master). All levels address the following
domains with standards and benchmarks. The
National Standards for Sport Coaches, Quality
Coaches, Quality Sports 2nd edition, provides numerous
examples of how to ensure these standards are addressed in
coaching education programs. The National Federation for High
Schools certification for coaches addresses these standards.
- Domain 1: Philosophy and Ethics
- Domain 2: Safety and Injury Prevention
- Domain 3: Physical conditioning
- Domain 4: Growth and Development
- Domain 5: Teaching and Communication
- Domain 6: Sport Skills and Tactics
- Domain 7: Organization and Administration
- Domain 8: Evaluation
Three Levels of Coach Certification Sample Expectations:
The following example is provided on page 26 of the National
Standards for Sport Coaches, 2nd edition and will help you
understand the difference in expectations for the three levels
of coaching certification.
The following benchmarks are examples from Domain 3: Physical
conditioning, Standard 12: Design programs of training,
conditioning, and recovery that properly utilize exercise
physiology and biomechanical principles.
BENCHMARK: Present conditioning as a prerequisite
for athletes to perform at their best, not as punishment.
| BASIC COACH |
INTERMEDIATE COACH |
MASTER COACH |
| All athletes must understand
that exercise is required to perform at their best and
that conditioning is not a punishment, but rather a part
of the process of development. |
All athletes must understand
that exercise is required to perform at their best and
that conditioning is not a punishment, but rather a part
of the process of development. |
All athletes must understand
that exercise is required to perform at their best and
that specific conditioning practices will enhance their
performance. |
BENCHMARK: Know the components of physical fitness
and prescribe appropriate levels of each in relation to age
and sport specific demands.
| BASIC COACH |
INTERMEDIATE COACH |
MASTER COACH |
| General fitness knowledge
is required. Coaches should use preparation techniques
appropriate for activity. |
More specific training
techniques should be mastered in order to adequately prepare
athletes. Coaches should know what drills will improve
and enhance athlete performance |
Higher levels of competition
will require additional mastery of sport-specific demands
and fitness. |
If you are an athletic administrator, please initiate an
opportunity for your school administrators to comprehend the
importance of coaches attaining certification through an organization
that is designed to serve educational institutions. Administrators
have so many obligations and responsibilities they may not
have the time to keep with current trends for certifications
of athletic coaches.
It would be in the best interest of your athletic program
coaches and athletes to ensure they acquire the NFHS coach
certification program. Speak to your administrators at the
district level about how the coaches can acquire continuing
education credit toward teacher certification renewal for
completing these courses.
Middle School Philosophy: Athletics and Intramural
Programs
If you teach or coach middle school students you know the
diversity that exists among them in physical, emotional, and
social development. It appears our elementary schools work
diligently to serve the growth and development of the elementary
student positively to promote self efficacy. During elementary
school many students may be involved in recreational sports
where the goal is for the children to learn, have fun, and
participate. Recreational sports become more and more competitive
around the time a child enters middle school.
Fewer children are put into a game if they do not possess
the skills that contribute to "winning." Recreational
sports for youth should emphasize fun, learning and sportsmanship.
Many of us have witnessed recreational sports where children
sit the bench almost the entire game - sometimes never getting
into a game. At this age it is essential for all children
to participate (willingly), and for their peers to be taught
to positively encourage the lesser skilled children so they
feel accepted, which is one of our basic human needs.
Middle school is a perfect opportunity for intramural sports
& activity programs. They address a huge social need for
this age student in addition to engaging the students in physical
activity. The philosophy of intramural sports should focus
on participation and include virtually every student who wants
to participate. Students could also elect to manage and keep
score if they were interested in a sport but did not want
to play. However, they would be required to participate in
health/fitness related warm ups and activities. The key is
to include the students in activities they are interested
in. The school could schedule the sports and activities for
the end of the day, every other day, for one hour (including
the time required to change into appropriate clothing).
Dance and yoga might also be activities students could elect
to participate in. The activities could change three times
a school year and continue the entire school year. All teachers
should be involved with the intramural and activity program
as part of their teaching responsibilities. In addition to
providing the students an opportunity to participate, it allows
the teachers to get to know the students in activities outside
of the classroom.
The intramural program would not replace the athletic program,
but engage many more students than the athletic teams are
able to accommodate. School administrators must emphasize
the philosophy of the athletic program should focus on solid
basic skills, developing sportsman-like behaviors, understanding
the game rules and strategies, as well as academic eligibility.
Positive behaviors and communication should be demonstrated
and expected of all staff, students, and spectators.
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