Based on our research into effective coaching behaviours, we were able to identify some common behaviours that people taking part in sessions described as meeting the principle of learning, namely that coaches:
Act with integrity, emphasising a consistent coaching vision.
Understanding your own motivations for coaching is an important step to take if you are to exhibit this behaviour consistently. However, it may be that clarity on this isn’t achieved until you have had time to reflect.
Exploring and checking in on your own coaching philosophy is time well spent for any coach. A great litmus test of your philosophy can come from asking for feedback from the people in and around your sessions, as this can help you better understand if your coaching behaviours match with what you are aiming to achieve.
A great question could be: “What do you think we are trying to achieve together?"
We spoke to Phil Ingham, who has been coaching the cycling discipline of cyclo-cross for the past six years in West Yorkshire and asked him to share his reflections on his coaching.