Most top athletes aren't concerned with this issue. They have access to well-known coaches with established reputations. But lower level athletes may need guidance when finding a coach. According to Fred Engh, president of the National Youth Sports Coaches Association, "We did a survey and found that the average youth sports coach spends 80 hours a season with his or her players. And yet, for the most part, parents have no idea who that coach is, what he or she knows about sports, and what his or her values are in terms of kids having fun playing sports." (1)
In 1993, Dr. Vern Seefeldt, then director of the Division of Youth Sports Center at Michigan State University, noted, ''We estimate that only 10 percent of the adults who are coaching children's sports are qualified to do so.'' (2)
Some points to consider when looking for a qualified coach:
RECOMMENDATIONS
The best way to find a good coach is to ask other athletes who they train with and why. If you ask enough of them, you're likely to hear one or two names mentioned over and over again. Presumably there are discernible reasons why these coaches are especially popular and in demand.
COMPETITIVE EXPERIENCE
Some coaches are ex-athletes themselves. This should ensure that they have at least a moderate level of expertise.
On the other hand, ex-athletes, especially famous ones, do not always make the best coaches for several reasons.
CERTIFICATION
Increasingly, certification programs are being offered to provide coaches at least a minimum level of training. Programs tend to come in three varieties:
National Programs
Some countries have developed nationwide certification programs. A good example is Canada, which has five certification levels. To reach level 3, a coach will have completed approximately 100 hours of training in theoretical, technical, and practical areas. Level 4 and 5 are for those planning to become professional coaches.
Australia also has such a program.
The United States does not. Judith Young, executive director of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, a group pushing for national training standards for coaching, has said, "We're the only nation in the world who doesn't require coaches to undergo some sort of training and certification." (3)
According to a survey conducted in 1995, only 28 states required some coach training, and that only applied to school programs. In Massachusetts, a survey of high school coaches indicated that only slightly more than a third had been trained in CPR and less than that had first aid training. (4)
Sports Specific Programs
Many sports national governing bodies and professional coaches associations have developed their own certification programs. For example, USA Bowling has a three-level certification program. The lowest level requires attendance at a two-day conference and passing a written exam. "The main topics covered are your physical game, bowling equipment, lane play, spare shooting and the mental game," said USA Bowling director of coaching certification Bob Maki. (5)
Here are websites for some other programs:
Minimum Competency Programs
These are programs designed to give volunteer coaches some basic training.
The National Youth Sports Coaches Association certifies more than 150,000 coaches a year. The introductory one-day program provides training in safety and first aid, nutrition, conditioning, child psychology, and ethics.
Three other programs are the American Sports Education Program, the American Coaching Effectiveness Program, and the Program for Athletic Coaches Education .
Many older coaches have never gone through certification programs, but more and more younger ones have. Although using a certified coach is not a guarantee that you'll get a good coach, it should at least ensure that your coach knows the difference between safe and unsafe training techniques.