Mistakes to avoid in coaching

The trap of advice and self-solution

In the professional practice of sports coaching, there are red lines that must never be crossed if the integrity and effectiveness of the process is to be maintained.

The most common and damaging mistake is to fall into the temptation to give solutions and advice of your own to the client.

The coach is not a consultant who sells his or her answers, but a facilitator who extracts the athlete's answers.

When the coach gives advice, he or she creates dependency and robs the athlete of the opportunity to develop his or her own problem-solving "muscle".

Moreover, if the advice fails, it is the coach's fault; if it works, it is not the athlete's fault. Both situations undermine empowerment

Manipulation and judgment

Another serious error is manipulation of the client to obtain benefits that were not agreed upon or that serve the coach's agenda and not the athlete's agenda.

This includes forcing the athlete toward goals that are in the interest of the club but not the individual.

Also, the coach must radically refrain from judging or criticizing the client's actions and thoughts.

The coaching space is a judgment-free sanctuary; if the athlete feels morally judged, he or she will shut down his or her inner world and the process will stop. Unconditional acceptance is the foundation of trust.

Inconsistency and breach of confidentiality

The credibility of the coach depends on his or her congruence. Incongruent behavior (asking for calm by yelling, asking for punctuality by being late) destroys the moral authority needed to lead.

It is also a critical mistake not to follow the client's agenda, imposing the coach's agenda, or breaking the confidentiality agreement.

Revealing private information to third parties (coaches, press, parents) without permission is the quickest way to annihilate the professional relationship.

Finally, the coach should avoid creating a relationship of dependency where the athlete does not know how to function without his presence; the ultimate goal should always be the autonomy of the athlete.

Summary

The most harmful mistake is to give one's own advice, robbing the athlete of the opportunity to solve problems. Giving advice creates dependency and weakens the empowerment necessary for success in competition.

Manipulation or moral judgment of the client's actions annihilates trust and stops the process. The coaching space should be a sanctuary of unconditional acceptance and respect.

Coach incongruence and breach of confidentiality destroy moral authority and the professional relationship. The ultimate goal is always the autonomy of the athlete, avoiding creating unnecessary dependencies.