In this chapter, we’re going to talk about what it actually means to show up as a great coach.
In this chapter, we’re going to talk about what it actually means to show up as a great coach.
In this chapter, we’re going to talk about what it actually means to show up as a great coach.
Being a good coach is about more than what happens on the water.
Being a good coach is about more than what happens on the water.
Being a good coach is about more than what happens on the water.
We’ll go through exactly what that looks like in practice, and why it matters more than you might think.
We’ll go through exactly what that looks like in practice, and why it matters more than you might think.
We’ll go through exactly what that looks like in practice, and why it matters more than you might think.
Be there on time
Be there on time
Be there on time
Try to arrive at least 30 minutes before your session starts.
Try to arrive at least 30 minutes before your session starts.
Try to arrive at least 30 minutes before your session starts.
If that is done before people show up, the session flows naturally.
If that is done before people show up, the session flows naturally.
If that is done before people show up, the session flows naturally.
It also matters to the rest of the team.
It also matters to the rest of the team.
It also matters to the rest of the team.
Showing up on time is one of the simplest and most effective ways to be a good teammate.
Showing up on time is one of the simplest and most effective ways to be a good teammate.
Showing up on time is one of the simplest and most effective ways to be a good teammate.
Everyone is counting on each other, and when one person is late it creates more work for everyone else.
Everyone is counting on each other, and when one person is late it creates more work for everyone else.
Everyone is counting on each other, and when one person is late it creates more work for everyone else.
This programme is specifically designed so that there are always multiple coaches at each session.
This programme is specifically designed so that there are always multiple coaches at each session.
This programme is specifically designed so that there are always multiple coaches at each session.
You are never alone — even if you are new.
You are never alone — even if you are new.
You are never alone — even if you are new.
That is intentional, and it is one of the things that makes this programme work well.
That is intentional, and it is one of the things that makes this programme work well.
That is intentional, and it is one of the things that makes this programme work well.
If you cannot make a session, let someone know as early as possible so they can plan around it — things come up and that is completely fine, we just need to know ahead of time.
If you cannot make a session, let someone know as early as possible so they can plan around it — things come up and that is completely fine, we just need to know ahead of time.
If you cannot make a session, let someone know as early as possible so they can plan around it — things come up and that is completely fine, we just need to know ahead of time.
But beyond that, the real point of having multiple coaches there is so that you can actually coach together, not just alongside each other.
But beyond that, the real point of having multiple coaches there is so that you can actually coach together, not just alongside each other.
But beyond that, the real point of having multiple coaches there is so that you can actually coach together, not just alongside each other.
Help each other with docking, carrying boats, and getting things sorted.
Help each other with docking, carrying boats, and getting things sorted.
Help each other with docking, carrying boats, and getting things sorted.
If someone needs an extra pair of hands, be that person.
If someone needs an extra pair of hands, be that person.
If someone needs an extra pair of hands, be that person.
Show up for each other and nobody has to do everything alone.
Show up for each other and nobody has to do everything alone.
Show up for each other and nobody has to do everything alone.
Participants are new and still learning how to handle the equipment, which means it falls on you to make sure things are done correctly.
Participants are new and still learning how to handle the equipment, which means it falls on you to make sure things are done correctly.
Participants are new and still learning how to handle the equipment, which means it falls on you to make sure things are done correctly.
When carrying boats, always make sure there are enough people.
When carrying boats, always make sure there are enough people.
When carrying boats, always make sure there are enough people.
Even if the group feels confident, it’s always better to have a couple of extra hands, better safe than sorry.
Even if the group feels confident, it’s always better to have a couple of extra hands, better safe than sorry.
Even if the group feels confident, it’s always better to have a couple of extra hands, better safe than sorry.
Be present when participants step in and out of the boats, and make sure they’re doing it correctly.
Be present when participants step in and out of the boats, and make sure they’re doing it correctly.
Be present when participants step in and out of the boats, and make sure they’re doing it correctly.
Also, stay extra aware of what’s happening around the dock area, both before heading out and when returning.
Also, stay extra aware of what’s happening around the dock area, both before heading out and when returning.
Also, stay extra aware of what’s happening around the dock area, both before heading out and when returning.
We’ll cover more on this in the safety part of the education.
We’ll cover more on this in the safety part of the education.
We’ll cover more on this in the safety part of the education.
People have chosen to spend their evening or weekend with us, and that means a lot.
People have chosen to spend their evening or weekend with us, and that means a lot.
People have chosen to spend their evening or weekend with us, and that means a lot.
Always try to keep things moving, getting boats ready, dividing people into crews, getting everyone out on the water.
Always try to keep things moving, getting boats ready, dividing people into crews, getting everyone out on the water.
Always try to keep things moving, getting boats ready, dividing people into crews, getting everyone out on the water.
Your crew is your crew.
Your crew is your crew.
Your crew is your crew.
If a participant has a question, answer it.
If a participant has a question, answer it.
If a participant has a question, answer it.
If something looks like it is about to become a problem, try to get ahead of it.
If something looks like it is about to become a problem, try to get ahead of it.
If something looks like it is about to become a problem, try to get ahead of it.
If your group needs something, you are the one who makes it happen.
If your group needs something, you are the one who makes it happen.
If your group needs something, you are the one who makes it happen.
This is not about being in charge for the sake of it, it is just about being present and responsible for the people you are coaching.
This is not about being in charge for the sake of it, it is just about being present and responsible for the people you are coaching.
This is not about being in charge for the sake of it, it is just about being present and responsible for the people you are coaching.
You do not have to have all the answers, but being the person your crew can rely on goes a long way.
You do not have to have all the answers, but being the person your crew can rely on goes a long way.
You do not have to have all the answers, but being the person your crew can rely on goes a long way.
Things will come up that you are not sure how to handle, that is completely normal, especially when you are new.
Things will come up that you are not sure how to handle, that is completely normal, especially when you are new.
Things will come up that you are not sure how to handle, that is completely normal, especially when you are new.
What matters is how you respond in those moments.
What matters is how you respond in those moments.
What matters is how you respond in those moments.
Just let the participant know that you are going to check with one of the other coaches and come back to them.
Just let the participant know that you are going to check with one of the other coaches and come back to them.
Just let the participant know that you are going to check with one of the other coaches and come back to them.
That is the professional thing to do, and people respect it far more than a confident wrong answer.
That is the professional thing to do, and people respect it far more than a confident wrong answer.
That is the professional thing to do, and people respect it far more than a confident wrong answer.
When a team handles the unexpected well, it feels like a team that really knows what it is doing and that is exactly the impression we want to give.
When a team handles the unexpected well, it feels like a team that really knows what it is doing and that is exactly the impression we want to give.
When a team handles the unexpected well, it feels like a team that really knows what it is doing and that is exactly the impression we want to give.
And the coaching itself will become so much easier, because when the foundation is right, everything else just falls into place.
And the coaching itself will become so much easier, because when the foundation is right, everything else just falls into place.
And the coaching itself will become so much easier, because when the foundation is right, everything else just falls into place.
The goal is always to get things sorted quickly and calmly.
The goal is always to get things sorted quickly and calmly.
The goal is always to get things sorted quickly and calmly.
If you do not know the answer to something, do not guess.
If you do not know the answer to something, do not guess.
If you do not know the answer to something, do not guess.
Standing around while participants wait kills the energy before anything has even started.
Standing around while participants wait kills the energy before anything has even started.
Standing around while participants wait kills the energy before anything has even started.
Prepare before they arrive, move with purpose, and keep things going.
Prepare before they arrive, move with purpose, and keep things going.
Prepare before they arrive, move with purpose, and keep things going.
When a session feels well run and efficient, participants notice — even if they cannot quite put their finger on why.
When a session feels well run and efficient, participants notice — even if they cannot quite put their finger on why.
When a session feels well run and efficient, participants notice — even if they cannot quite put their finger on why.
Carry oars with care, store them safely so nobody trips over them, and make sure everything goes back where it belongs after the session.
Carry oars with care, store them safely so nobody trips over them, and make sure everything goes back where it belongs after the session.
Carry oars with care, store them safely so nobody trips over them, and make sure everything goes back where it belongs after the session.
If a fellow coach is struggling, step in.
If a fellow coach is struggling, step in.
If a fellow coach is struggling, step in.
If it is not, everything starts behind and it is hard to catch up.
If it is not, everything starts behind and it is hard to catch up.
If it is not, everything starts behind and it is hard to catch up.
Getting the Foundations Right
Getting the Foundations Right
Getting the Foundations Right
Be there for each other
Be there for each other
Be there for each other
Look after the equipment
Look after the equipment
Look after the equipment
Respect participants’ time
Respect participants’ time
Respect participants’ time
Take ownership and lead
Take ownership and lead
Take ownership and lead
Handle situations like a pro
Handle situations like a pro
Handle situations like a pro
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There are rules your club has and they are non-negotiable, and they are there for good reason, to make sure everyone stays safe and that nothing goes wrong on the water.
There are rules your club has and they are non-negotiable, and they are there for good reason, to make sure everyone stays safe and that nothing goes wrong on the water.
There are rules your club has and they are non-negotiable, and they are there for good reason, to make sure everyone stays safe and that nothing goes wrong on the water.
You are expected to know them and follow them every time.
You are expected to know them and follow them every time.
You are expected to know them and follow them every time.
During the first three weeks, nobody rows in a 1x or 2x.
During the first three weeks, nobody rows in a 1x or 2x.
During the first three weeks, nobody rows in a 1x or 2x.
If there are life jacket rules at the club, follow them and always ask participants if they would like one.
If there are life jacket rules at the club, follow them and always ask participants if they would like one.
If there are life jacket rules at the club, follow them and always ask participants if they would like one.
These rules exist to protect everyone, and it is not your call to bend them, no matter how keen people are to get out on the water.
These rules exist to protect everyone, and it is not your call to bend them, no matter how keen people are to get out on the water.
These rules exist to protect everyone, and it is not your call to bend them, no matter how keen people are to get out on the water.
If the wind is over 18mph or 8 mps or there is any risk of thunderstorms, we do not go out, full stop.
If the wind is over 18mph or 8 mps or there is any risk of thunderstorms, we do not go out, full stop.
If the wind is over 18mph or 8 mps or there is any risk of thunderstorms, we do not go out, full stop.
Weather rules, safety rules, traffic rules, and how we treat participants.
Weather rules, safety rules, traffic rules, and how we treat participants.
Weather rules, safety rules, traffic rules, and how we treat participants.
Know the rules and stick to them
Know the rules and stick to them
Know the rules and stick to them
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The coaches who really stand out are the ones who show up reliably, look out for their team, and carry themselves in a way that makes everyone around them feel like things are in good hands.
The coaches who really stand out are the ones who show up reliably, look out for their team, and carry themselves in a way that makes everyone around them feel like things are in good hands.
The coaches who really stand out are the ones who show up reliably, look out for their team, and carry themselves in a way that makes everyone around them feel like things are in good hands.
There is always stuff to set up before participants arrive — getting boats in the water, checking conditions, making sure everything is in the right place.
There is always stuff to set up before participants arrive — getting boats in the water, checking conditions, making sure everything is in the right place.
There is always stuff to set up before participants arrive — getting boats in the water, checking conditions, making sure everything is in the right place.
If you make sure you do the things we have talked about in this video, the programme will be a much more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
If you make sure you do the things we have talked about in this video, the programme will be a much more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
If you make sure you do the things we have talked about in this video, the programme will be a much more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
The moments that drag a session down are rarely the difficult ones, they are the slow ones.
The moments that drag a session down are rarely the difficult ones, they are the slow ones.
The moments that drag a session down are rarely the difficult ones, they are the slow ones.
A 4x or gig needs at least six people, and an 8+ needs at least ten.
A 4x or gig needs at least six people, and an 8+ needs at least ten.
A 4x or gig needs at least six people, and an 8+ needs at least ten.