Are you an EPIC Coach?

Epic, when used as an adjective, means impressive, remarkable, heroic, or in a grand scale.

Think Forward

As coaches, we need to get in front of things and not react to them. We need to teach our athletes how to do the right thing not just sometimes, but all the time. They will be confronted with choices that could not only end their athletic careers, but have great impact on their personal lives. We must teach them to “think forward” and consider how their choices could impact their future.

Love the Process

Athletes want to become champions, but they must realize that success comes from the process. As coaches, we must always remember patience. When we practice this, our athletes will as well. As a player, I loved practice, and as an adult I love the process of training. I know when practice goes well, and training goes well, success is within my grasp. This allows me to slow down and teach until my athletes get it. When we slow down, they will slow down, and in that, we will all enjoy the process more.

Be the Calm, Not the Storm

As coaches, we just need to take the time to think things through before we say anything. In my youth, I reacted quickly, but not thoughtfully. My suggestion to all young coaches is to stop, breathe, think… then proceed with a thoughtful response, and not the one that swells up from the gut. Our kids will learn to respond in a similar manner, and that will make them “the kid” every coach wants.

Be Thankful

Thank your coaching staff, thank the parents, thank the kids… because without them there would be no team or business. Teach your athletes to thank their parents, teammates, coaches, refs, fans, and their opponents. Being an athlete can end so quickly with an injury, but our athletes will be remembered for who they were and how they made people feel more than their athletic achievements. Discipline yourself to show gratitude to all.

There is No I in Team

Always put your team first. If you must change your business hours or practice times, think of the team before yourself. How will your actions be seen by the team? By demonstrating your ability to keep the team first, you will teach your coaching staff, your athletes and their parents what a team is truly about.

If you truly want to be remembered as an EPIC coach, then you need to be forward thinking, love the process, stay calm, be thankful, and always keep the team first.

About the Author

Chad Coy
Master Performance Coach

Chad Coy has been a part of the Parisi Speed School family since signing as the 13th Franchise in 2006. A graduate of Purdue University in 1991, Chad studied Exercise Science and Nutrition. Chad still has a strong commitment to as an athlete, and has competed as a professional strongman since 1998. He has won Masters’ America’s Strongest Man “3” times and placed second at Masters’ Worlds two times after 10 years as an open Pro ,where he averaged a top 10 placing. A Powerlifter from 1994 -1998, he has also won 2 National Powerlifting Championships, 1 World Championship, and held 4 American Records and 3 World Records. Chad joined the Master Trainer program in the winter of 2014 and takes great pride in helping educate the future coaches of the franchise.