it’s your first month of coaching-what should you do?
july 20, 2021 | WORDS BY ryan blackwell
You’ve done it! You decided to take that leap with your passion and turn it into something greater. That first month of coaching when you haven’t done so before is daunting. Everything seems to be coming at you faster than you have time to react. Should you quit? Should you ask for help? What are your best options? We have all been there before. At some point we all had to take that first step and get it going. Here are my suggestions on how to approach your first month.
01. Study and Prep!
It is true! Just because you have done all you need to in order to become a Coach. The learning does not stop! Study and prep every class from start to finish. Ask the programmer any and all questions you may have about the workout. It is ok to be curious. That is how you start to develop a deeper insight into the workout. Create a detailed game plan of how to run your class. This doesn’t need to be scripted word for word transcription, but you should have a strong indication of what you want to say. Write small time frames next to the workout or strength so you know when to roughly start each thing. If you know a workout takes 15 minutes, writing a small 40-43 next to the workout where you can see reminds you that you need to start around that time frame.
02. Take the Class
In the early stages you should definitely take the class you are about to coach. Either earlier in the day or by yourself at some point. It is so much easier to speak in a class with confidence after having been involved in it beforehand. You not only get that direct feedback from your classmates, but sometimes more importantly from yourself. What strategies would you share? How did you feel at certain points? What are some things to look out for and be aware of during it all? So much information can be gained that almost taking the class should be a must after study and prep.
03. Listen to Other Coaches
A challenging aspect of the job is building your cue library to get athletes to not only move correctly, but move safely. Listen to coaches as they are leading their class. What are they saying to others? This is your opportunity to absorb from others who have hundreds of hours under their belt already. Watch what they do and figure out how you may incorporate some of it into your coaching. Try a cue out and see if it works. Remember what may work for one doesn’t mean it will work for others. So ever adapting and adding new descriptions to how you want things performed is key! It does not need to be complicated. Keep it simple and keep trying.
04. Be You and Be Humble
Don’t try to be the next Jason or MDV. Be the very first you! Take that opportunity to grow your own personal brand and make it unique. You can pick and choose little things from each person you want to add into your arsenal, but ultimately always be you! You are going to make mistakes and that is ok. Ask for feedback and be receptive to the growth. Just like learning to do all the movements the first time, developing the skills to coach are in the same line. Always be willing to grow and develop on your skills.
I continue to use all these lessons each and every day. There is no substitute to putting in the reps. This is how you get better and make a long lasting impact on those around you. Take the time and effort to commit to the craft and trust the process with it. You will do great. Many people want to see you successful, but you just have to try! Get after it.
