The Pillars of Coaching Rightly
Sports coaching is a “wicked problem”. It involves humans interacting with other humans in complex, messy, and uncertain environments. Given the inherent difficulties, there is unlikely to be a perscriptive formula for coaching correctly in every context. However, we propose that there is a right way to go about crafting one’s competencies and character as a coach.
Put simply, we believe the art of Coaching Rightly is grounded in the continual development of one’s knowledge, skills, and attributes under the four pillars of excellence, wisdom, nature, and care.
The four pillars were created as a philosophical framework to support one’s practices, processes, and personal development while pursuing mastery in the art of Coaching Rightly. These four pillars integrate classic philosophical concepts with modern empirical understanding to capture the art and science of sports coaching and provide an aspirational foundations to guide one’s daily coaching activities.
One should seek to embody excellence in their coaching practices and processes. This includes pursuing excellence in one’s actions, craft, and personal character. In simple terms, the pillar of excellence is about what you do and how you go about doing it.
Excellence
One should seek to exemplify practical wisdom in their coaching endeavours. This includes approaching circumstances and challenges in an informed, rational, and considered manner. Simply stated, the pillar of wisdom is about your ability to make and implement effective judgements and decisions.
Wisdom
One should seek to coach in accordance with the natural order of things. This means seeking to understand the nature of performers and the performance space more broadly. In short, the pillar of nature is about your ability to come to grips with all the factors at play in your sporting environment.
Nature
The foundations of one’s Coaching should come from a deep caring. This includes caring for your performers, your craft, and your personal character. In essence, the pillar of care is about your capacity to conduct yourself in the right way for the right reasons.