Pathway to Excellence: A Christian Approach to Coaching

By Dennis M. Docheff

The purpose of this book is to provide athletic coaches with simple methods to enhance their coaching technique. Coaching is teaching. Therefore, coaches must look at their teaching effectiveness in order to become better coaches. In addition, the athletic arena provides a wonderful opportunity for a Christian witness. Often, coaches find it difficult to form a marriage between their coaching and a Christian lifestyle. This book intends to meld the two together, providing clear, effective teacher education and biblical advice to Christian coaches. The book also provides selected scriptures from Gods Word.

Can a Christian coach really make a difference? How can one Christian coach save the world of sport? Well, first there is more than one Christian coach out there. Second, if there was only one Christian coach willing to go to battle with Christ, they would fight and win. One coach plus Jesus equals a majority. Recall that it appeared as though David didnt stand a chance when he went to fight Goliath. David was not alone. David knew that God would be with him. Was he afraid? Maybe, but his faith in God was greater than his fear! Hopefully, this book motivates coaches to allow their faith in Christ to shine through their coaching style and behavior.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 25, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456729059

Dennis M. Docheff

Dennis Docheff has been an educator since entering the teaching profession in 1978. His experience includes teaching and coaching at the elementary, middle school, high school, and university level. Dennis has also filled the role of elementary principal, assistant principal, athletic director, and high school counselor. Docheff is currently a Professor at the University of Central Missouri. His areas of expertise include teaching and coaching effectiveness, curriculum, and administration. Highlights in Dennis’ professional career include serving three years as a civilian instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, serving as President of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), and serving as President of the Central District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). Docheff has well over 100 publications and has given over 200 professional presentations in physical education and sport. Dennis is happily married to Keri and they have three children; Dodge, Payton, and Emily. He considers his family as his greatest earthly treasure.

Book preview

Section 1:

Developing A Coaching Philosophy

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind….Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

JAMES 1:2-6, 12

The need for a philosophy statement…

Everything a coach does should be based on philosophy. A coach’s philosophy is a system of beliefs, a testimony as to what is important to that coach. The coach’s philosophy statement alerts all interested parties to the coach’s core values; the method of teaching, the administrative style, the means of communication, the basic foundation for everything that occurs on his or her team. It clarifies the motives of everything the coach does…in and out of sport.

All coaches have a set of core values, and although these values impact all that the coaches do, many coaches go through their careers without ever developing a formal philosophy statement. This personal code of living should influence coaches in their decisions and actions on a daily basis. How a coach treats players, cuts members from the squad, handles discipline, interacts with officials, and many, many more issues are subject to philosophy.

For many coaches, the development of a personal philosophy creates a dilemma. Where does one begin? How does a coach determine the most important tenets of life? Where does personal a personal set of guidelines come from? This is one area where a firm Christian doctrine provides the coach with a blueprint for daily living.

In athletics, coaches often face ethical dilemmas and difficult decisions. Do I remove the player from the team? Do I report the rule violation? Do I play the injured athlete in the most important game? Do I overlook disciplinary infractions by star players? For the coach with a strong philosophical foundation, these dilemmas often take care of themselves. The answers to difficult questions become quite clear. The stress involved in making tough choices seems to disappear. When an ethical dilemma appears, the first questions to be asked should be, How does this align with my principles of behavior? and What does my belief in Jesus Christ tell me to do in this situation?

Effective coaches should leave nothing to chance. Coaches have a tendency to toil over the minute details of every aspect of the game, yet they leave some of the most important decisions left unclear. The most important questions are often non-related to the sport they coach. Section One of this book examines the development of a coaching philosophy. After completing this section, readers have had the opportunity to develop a personal statement of philosophy that can impact their coaching performance on a daily basis.

Chapter One, Designing a Purpose to Coaching, explores why a person would want to coach. The reader considers a purpose in life, which eventually leads to designing a purpose in coaching; a purpose that is, hopefully, much greater than the accumulation of wins.

Chapter Two, Defining Success, provides the reader with the opportunity to explore the real meaning of success. Ultimately, who determines success? Briefly, this chapter compares how the world view’s success with God’s vision of success. Some true success stories are shared prior to the reader being encouraged to create a plan for success.

Chapter Three, Creating the Philosophy Statement, the steps to creating a personal philosophy statement are examined. Things that are important in life and coaching are listed and prioritized. Then, the reader is encouraged to commit to and publishes a personal philosophy statement.

Chapter Four, Spreading the Message, provides the reader with ideas on how to share the philosophy statement with others. Once a philosophy statement is developed, how does one go about sharing it with others? What good is there is creating a philosophy statement if it isn’t shared with others?

Chapter Five, How Philosophy Impacts Performance, ends this section by exploring the impact of a personal philosophy statement. The reader seeks God’s guidance on how to use the philosophy statement on a daily basis. Committing one’s philosophy to God cements the relationship needed to live according to the philosophy statement.

Before going on, it is suggested that the reader stop and pray. Spend a little (or a lot!) of time talking with our Lord and Savior. An examination into your personal philosophy must begin with a word from the Lord and Master. Consulting God’s Word provides you with a strong start in developing your personal philosophy statement. Are you ready?

Chapter 1

Designing A Purpose To Coaching

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all man. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things…I can do all things through Him who strengthens me…And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

PHILIPPIANS 4:4-8, 13, 19.

This chapter focuses on investigating a purpose to coaching. In this chapter, the reader:

• Answers the question, Why coach?

• Explores purpose in life and sport

• Determines the most important elements in life and sport

Why Coach?

Why coach? Is it the long hours? Is it the low hourly wage? Is it the sleepless nights? Is it the fear of injury, the stress, anxiety, worry, heartache…? So, why coach? Often, when people break down the elements of coaching there seems to be quite a few negative aspects to the profession.

• Coaches spend less time with their families.

• Coaches experience role conflict and burnout (especially teachers who coach).

• Coaches get ulcers.

• Coaches have less leisure time.

• Coaches lose sleep on a regular basis.

• Coaches are constantly criticized by everyone.

These negative aspects drive many coaches to an early career change, while others do not appear to be as bothered by the less positive issues in sport coaching.

Of course, there are positive elements to a career in the coaching profession. As a matter of fact, it is quite easy to develop a list of positive outcomes that coaches experience. So, again, why coach? Here are some things to consider:

• Coaches give their athletes a chance to grow and develop.

• Coaches give kids a chance to love and be loved.

• Coaches impact children for the rest of their lives.

• Coaches promote lifelong relationships.

• Coaches provide opportunities for physical activity.

• Coaches teach goal setting.

• Coaches encourage healthy behavior.

• Coaches teach life lessons through sport.

• Coaches influence the self-esteem of others.

• Coaches are role models.

• Coaches teach leadership skills.

• Coaches provide avenues for personal examination.

• Coaches are often pseudo-parents.

• Coaches teach kids how to deal with adversity.

• Coaches show athletes how to react to winning in a humble manner.

• Coaches teach life.

The positive list can go on and on. When looking at the positive impact coaches have on young people, it is easier to dismiss the negative issues involved in the profession. So, why do you coach? Take a moment (or two or three…) and recall a few positive occurrences from your coaching experience. If you are studying to be a coach in the future, imagine the positive impact you will have on people for the next twenty to thirty years. Think of how many lives you will touch. [At the end of the chapter, you will have a chance to write some of these things down.]

Designing a Purpose to Coaching

As we explore the purposes in coaching, there is also merit in looking for purpose in life. How we approach sport is influenced by how we look at life in general. In examining the many important things in one’s life, coaches often try to be reasonable. They know that their sport is not the most important thing in the world. But coaches often ask athletes to consider their sport as most important from about 3:00 in the afternoon until the early evening (about 5:30 or 6:00 or so). That truly is reasonable, isn’t it? Yet, today, the expectation placed upon athletes has broadened; some coaches expect athletes to make their sport first in their lives 24 hours a day.

The reality is that bad things happen in life. Mothers and fathers divorce. Grandmothers die. Brothers and sisters have extended stays in the hospital. Boyfriends and girlfriends break up. Injuries occur. [One mis-step or an awkward collision can end an athlete’s career.] When these things do occur, sport is not the most important thing in the world, even if it is 3:00 - 5:30 in the afternoon.

What happens when something traumatic happens in the life of a young athlete? When someone is critically hurt or worse, or when a career is ended, what is left for the athlete? What is most important now? All of a sudden life can change. Priorities in life influence our priorities in sport. Coaches must be responsible when determining priorities in sport. Some coaches fail to do so. All they see is what impacts them. They teach toughness; getting through any problem. Phrases like, Leave your personal problems off the field, and Get over it, it’s time for practice, are heard around the country.

Christian coaches, though, should realize that things outside of sport impact what takes place in sport. They also see that, sometimes, what goes on outside the sport world is more important that what goes on inside the sports world. As a matter of fact, Christian coaches embrace different levels of priority. There is joy in knowing that there is more to life than sport. In addition, Christian coaches understand that their impact is greater than the sport they coach. These coaches care about the entire lives of their athletes. Caring coaches attend school plays and concerts, they inquire about academic development of players, they show an interest in personal lives, and they encourage their athletes to explore a well-rounded development, even if it means missing a practice from time to time.

And practice on Sunday? Forget about it. Yes, there are some coaches that believe that their sport is so important that they demand young athletes to practice or lift weights or study game film on Sunday. These coaches have their players all week long, and yet they still require a Sunday practice. All kinds of excuses are used to justify the Sunday practice—We have a J.V. game on Monday, or Well, the play-offs begin on Tuesday, or Don’t worry, we won’t overwork them; it’s just a light practice. Coaches that feel their sport is so important that they take the only family day away from their athletes really don’t care about their athletes. They are selfish, and they put too high a priority on winning. [By the way, I feel the same way about Saturday.] In addition, kids should not have to choose between their sport and their church. It’s like, what is more important, football or God?

So, let’s take a look at our true purpose in life. People have been examining life questions since man can remember. Questions like…

What is my purpose in life?

What are the most important things in life?

Why am I here?

How can I live a fruitful life?

How should I live my life?

Knowing what life is all about provides guidance in living; for developing a personal philosophy statement. The answers to these life questions should impact a coach’s outlook on sport. In fact, these same life questions can be asked about sport, as well.

What is my purpose in coaching sport?

What are the most important things in sport?

Why am I coaching?

How can I create a fruitful career in coaching?

How should I coach my athletes?

So, what is your purpose in life? Is it to make a lot of money? If you are a teacher/coach, you are probably less interested in making money than you are at serving your fellow man. You have already placed a priority on the influence a coach has on others. Is it your purpose to be famous? If so, in coaching you have two ways to go. You can choose to be famous because you win games and championships, or you can choose to be famous because of the way your treat others. There are many coaches that have garnered lots and lots of wins; yet, there are even more coaches who have been rewarded for their contributions to society. Is your purpose in life to leave a legacy, to make your mark on this earth? Coaches can leave a legacy of authority, aggressiveness and power; or they can build a legacy of kindness, care, and helping others to grow. You have the opportunity to determine your legacy…make it one that pleases God.

And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.

GALATIONS 6:9

For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

1 PETER 3:17

Determining the Important Elements in Sport and Life

How does a person determine a purpose for one’s life? What is most important in your life? It begins with knowing and doing what is right. Ask yourself a few questions that put you in the proper frame of mind to think about what is right in your life. Later, you will have a chance to compile your answers, but for now, take a moment (or two, three, or…) to think about each one of the following:

• What is most important in my life?

• Is my family more important than winning games?

• What do I do that matters most to people?

• What kind of people do I spend my time with?

• What kind of people do I want to spend my time with?

• Is there a way I can build up others?

• Is there love in my life? Where does this love come from?

• Does my love shine for others to see?

• Am I concerned more with what others think or with what is right?

• Do I follow the opinion of the popular?

• Am I willing to submit to a greater being?

• Is there a void in my life that I cannot explain?

• What impact do I want to have on others?

As you begin to explore what is most important to you, it is suggested that you spend some time talking with God. Read your Bible and meditate on what He wants for your life. Right now, take a little time to get in the right frame of mind to do an exploration of your coaching philosophy. Once ultimate purpose in life becomes clear, sport takes on a new perspective. The Christian coach knows what the ultimate purpose in life is. Ultimate purpose is found in glorifying God. And we glorify God by developing a relationship with Him, living in accordance to His will, and sharing this with others.

Expanded thinking—

1. Who are your heroes in life? Who do you pattern your life after? Make a list of the top five heroes in your life.

2. List the five most important people in your life. Write each person a letter. The letter should thank them for being a part of your life. Also, make a commitment to these five people to be your best.

3. Create a list of all the priorities in your life. Then, create a list of priorities as God might write it. Compare your list to God’s. Then, write down your top five priorities in life and determine how they impact your sport and/or how your sport impacts them.

4. List three reasons God wants you in coaching.

5. Make a list of five life-long coaching goals. These goals are not about wins and losses. They are to be about your positive impact on others.

Chapter 2

Defining Success

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon…Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or With what shall we clothe ourselves?’ For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

MATTHEW 6:24, 31-34

Having given consideration to the critical aspects in life and sport, it is time to turn our focus toward success. We all seek it, yet do we really have a thorough understanding of what constitutes success? In this chapter, the reader:

• Examines the world view of success

• Considers God’s view of success

• Defines success

• Reads some true success stories

• Writes a plan for success

The World View of Success

Success is a topic that inestimable people have contemplated throughout the years. Countless texts on what success is, how to get it, and how to know when you’ve gotten it line the shelves of bookstores and libraries everywhere. Many coaches can rattle off quotes of the winningest, most successful coaches from the past. But how often do we really think about the meaning of success? Vince Lombardi is often misquoted as having said, Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing. Do we really believe that? If we do, then we must be willing to sell our souls for victory.

Is winning the only thing? Is this truly a dog-eat-dog world? Does the end justify the means? In business, does the boss really care how hard one tries, or is the sale the bottom line? Does profit drive everything in business? The answers to these questions come down to the true meaning of success. Many people believe that the ultimate prize is the sale, the new big house, the new car, being on top, putting plaques on the wall, wearing the nicest clothes, and more. In this world, material matters. Well, the material in sport is wins. Regardless of the effort, regardless of the development in preparation, regardless of the team camaraderie, winning matters.

Who finished second in the Super Bowl last year? Who won the silver medal in the Olympic Games 4 x 100 meter relay? Who has the second fastest time in the mile? People do not often care about second place. They admire the champion. People want to be around winners. They want to be first. This has a major impact on how people view sport. Consider the actions of many parents at Little League ball parks around the country. People are actually lying and cheating in order to allow their too-old son to play against younger boys. Parents can be seen yelling at officials, and at times, physically assaulting a referee over a disputed call. Children are being chagrined by parents because they lost the game for everyone.

Score that touchdown; hit that home run; make the goal; sink that putt; pick up that spare. It the world’s view of success, this is all that matters. Being the best and being on top is the goal…regardless of how one gets there. Ultimately, there is only one winner; there is only one the best. This attitude, although prevalent in our world, actually leads to guaranteed failure. With this view of success, success is unreachable; failure is unavoidable unless we change the world view of success.

Mr. Vince Lombardi actually said, "Winning isn’t everything, but the will to win is everything. He also said, The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of