Coach vs. Trainer
A few weeks ago I was having a conversation with a colleague about coaching. We discussed the premise that there are two types of "Coaches" in the sports landscape today. Type 1 is what we defined as the trainer. Type 2 is what we define as a coach. So what type of coach are you? Let's breakdown the differences.
Firstly, how do we define a trainer? A trainer is someone who is knows their sport/craft very well. They are able to understand the strategies of the sports. They put their athletes in position to win. They train their athletes to understand the rigors and obstacles of the sport. The trainer plans practices to enhance their abilities in a particular race or sport. They are focused on the physical development of the athlete. The trainer is focused on winning.
Now, what is a coach? A coach is someone who does everything a trainer does but more. Where the trainer stops thinking of developing the athlete after the practice session or the season ends the coach is focused on it year round. Where the trainer plans out a training session, the coach plans out the year. They develop a plan to ensure the team/athlete perform at their best when it matters the most. A coach is focused on success. They understand that the development of athletes over the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual planes is the true measure of success. A coach doesn’t just develop athletes; they develop the people.
No matter what level of athlete you work with ensure that you are not just a trainer. The athletes we are blessed to work with need more than that. They need leaders who will develop them fully and not just as an athletic participant. Coaching is not a job, it’s a calling. As Reverend Billy Graham said, “A coach will impact more young people in a year than most do in a lifetime.”
