Philosophy is the study of the theoretical nature of knowledge: how we acquire it, how we experience it, how we interpret it, and so forth.  It’s about asking the important questions about life and experiences, revealing their deeper meanings.  Doing this type of deep introspection is critical to the sport coach, because it develops the self-awareness necessary for being an exceptional coach, in addition to making you more resistant to the many possible external pressures you will face.  As Rainer Martens warns in his seminal text Successful Coaching, an ill-defined coaching philosophy can “destroy personal relationships” and “create chaos” (p.4, 2012).

Our philosophies determine the way we view objects and experiences in our lives as well as the way we view people and our relationships with them – Rainer Martens, Successful Coaching (2012)

Your philosophies are grounded in your personal beliefs, values, and internalized knowledge about a topic — if you read something about how to be a good coach in a textbook, you likely won’t adopt it into your own coaching philosophy unless you truly buy-into it and internalize it (connect it to your personal values or beliefs).  Your beliefs and principles can be shaped by your experiences, resulting in a coaching philosophy that is constantly evolving—this is probably a good thing!

Sadly, you cannot use someone else’s coaching philosophy, no matter how successful they seem as a coach. When you find yourself faced with challenging ethical dilemmas or strategic decisions, often ones that must be made on the spot, your personal philosophies will be tested.  You won’t be able to refer to someone else’s playbook and make a guess.  The right answer in that moment will be the one that reflects your predefined philosophy.  To develop your philosophy, you must first learn to know yourself better.

“It is wisdom to know others; it is enlightenment to know one’s self” – Lao-Tzu

Ask yourself:

1. 1. 1. What are my personal values?
      2. What are my beliefs about training and sport?
      3. What are my objectives as a coach?
      4. What are my objectives for the team?
      5. What do I think my athletes’ objectives should be for themselves?

Source: Successful Coaching (2012), Rainer Martens

Solly is the head coach of the Nanaimo Kettlebell Club and has been training clients for over 15 years. He has twice been on Team Canada as both an athlete and coach, and has continues to operate the longest running kettlebell sport event in Canada.