Etymology and the metaphor of transportation

From the Hungarian chariot to the modern concept

The etymology of the word "coach" is revealing and contains within itself the job description.

The term comes from the Hungarian word kocsi (pronounced "cochi"), which takes its name from the town of Kocs.

In the 15th century, this town became famous for manufacturing a special type of carriage: more comfortable, faster and with a suspension system superior to the rest. It was called "the Kocs carriage".

Thus, the original term did not refer to a person, but to a vehicle of excellence designed to transport people from a point of origin to a point of destination in the most efficient way possible.

This metaphor remains intact today: coaching is the vehicle that transports the athlete from where he or she is to where he or she wants to get to.

Academic evolution in England

The word traveled around Europe and, during the 19th century, found a new niche in English universities, such as Oxford.

In student slang, the term "coach" began to be used to designate private tutors.

Why? Because students felt that these tutors "carried" or "carried" them through the difficulty of final exams, much as a carriage carries a traveler over difficult terrain.

Here, the term takes on its connotation of intellectual accompaniment and mental preparation, separating itself from mere academic instruction to focus on success of outcome

The leap to athletics and the definition of roles

It was not until the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that the term formally jumped into the sporting arena.

Initially, it was used to describe the person who directed technical strategy. However, over time, a necessary distinction has emerged.

Today we understand that while a trainer deals with the muscles and technique, the "coach" deals with the person who moves those muscles.

The metaphor of the carriage reminds us of our professional ethics: the coach is not the protagonist of the journey, nor the one who chooses the destination, nor the one who makes the physical effort to move forward; the coach provides the safe and efficient structure so that the traveler (the athlete) can focus exclusively on performing and reaching his or her goal.

Summary

The word comes from the Hungarian word "kocsi", an upper suspension carriage designed for traveling. It represents a vehicle of excellence that efficiently transports people from their origin to their desired destination.

In the nineteenth century, Oxford students called their private tutors "coaches". They felt that these guides took them through academic difficulties to ensure ultimate success.

Today, the sports coach takes care of the person, while the trainer handles the technique. The professional provides the safe structure for the athlete to make the effort and move forward.