Coaching Ethics checklist–8 qualities to check out when hiring a coach.
1. Are they CPR certified, have a background check, and are well versed in safe sport education? Many are not. Parents, ask yourself if you would want teachers without background checks teaching your children. Then ask yourself the same questions about racquetball.
2. Does the coach understand the game at the highest level? Does the coach know about periodization of training for example?
3. Does the coach teach everyone the same way? Or do they differentiate based on strengths and weaknesses of the individual athletes?
4. What is your coach’s motivation? Money or your well-being. My first national champion walked away from the game when she was 16 and I was the only one happy for her! She was not having fun. My response-well then stop playing. It is about what is best for the player, not the coach or parent.
5. Does your coach keep changing as they learn new things? If not, they are not learning and sports and sport science is always changing.
6. Does your coach take time to ask you about your life? To get to know your parents, your friends, and your social circle?
7. Does the coach need you? Does the coach keep pursuing you? Or do you need the coach. If you need the coach that is a good sign. If they need you, that is not a good sign!
8. I got a phone call from a guy 60 years old last week and he was my first pro at the tender young age of 15. He brought up the fact that I coach to turn out better people and racquetball players and teach for both things to happen. The former is more important than the latter!
Go get’em tigers!