Professional Studies Sport Coach Interview

Summary

This interview with G, a volleyball coach, provides an insightful look into his journey in the coaching industry. From his early passion for volleyball to the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, G shares his experiences of working with youth athletes. He emphasizes the importance of hard work over natural talent, the value of creating an enjoyable coaching environment, and the role of technology in improving technique. G also discusses his coaching philosophy, his daily routine, and offers advice for aspiring coaches, stressing the significance of pursuing passion in the sports industry despite financial uncertainties.

Takeaways

• 😀 The coach has been involved in volleyball since primary school and started coaching in 2021, driven by a desire to give back to the sport he loves.
• 😀 A key influence in his journey was his secondary school coach, who instilled discipline and standards, as well as a teacher in junior college who helped shape his coaching approach.
• 😀 The coach enjoys working with youth, having a passion for teaching and coaching young athletes, particularly aspiring to lead a volleyball team since secondary school.
• 😀 One of the challenges faced when starting coaching was the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to restrictions on group sizes and forced online classes, making it difficult to conduct hands-on volleyball training.
• 😀 The coach adapts his teaching methods to cater to different age groups, with a particular focus on making instructions simple for younger students and more technical for older ones.
• 😀 A typical coaching day involves personal exercise, planning training sessions, and reflecting on how to improve both the coach’s and the students’ development.
• 😀 The coach motivates athletes by continuously improving his own coaching skills, creating engaging and game-like drills, and making training fun and interactive.
• 😀 The coach’s coaching philosophy emphasizes that hard work can overcome natural talent, believing that anyone can improve through dedication and consistent training.
• 😀 The coach values creating a platform where athletes can have fun, express themselves, and enjoy sports, believing that enjoyment is key to long-term motivation.
• 😀 The coach plans to adapt his coaching methods by understanding his athletes better, responding to changes in student profiles, and embracing creative training techniques.
• 😀 While technology, such as video analysis, can enhance coaching, the coach stresses that the physical nature of sports should not be overshadowed by technological reliance.

Q & A

What initially inspired you to become a volleyball coach?

I’ve been passionate about volleyball since I started playing in primary school. My fondest memory was winning titles during secondary school and the late-night training sessions. This passion for the sport led me to eventually want to give back by coaching.

Who were the key influences in your journey as a volleyball coach?

My secondary school coach and a teacher in my junior college were the most influential figures in my volleyball journey. Both instilled discipline, standards, and maturity in me, which shaped my approach to coaching.

What made you pursue coaching as a career?

I’ve always enjoyed working with young people and teaching. It became a dream for me in secondary school to one day lead a volleyball team, which has driven me to pursue coaching.

What challenges did you face when you first started coaching?

One of the major challenges was coaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in restrictions on group sizes and forced online classes. Additionally, I had to adapt my coaching methods for a wide range of students, from primary school to tertiary levels.

How do you motivate your students during training sessions?

I focus on growing as a coach and delivering engaging, creative drills that make training fun. I try to incorporate game-like situations and emphasize play, as this keeps students motivated and coming back for more.

What do you enjoy the most about coaching volleyball?

I love seeing the development of young players, especially at the primary school level. Watching them improve and gain skills gives me a sense of fulfillment. It's rewarding to know I’m contributing to their growth and love for the sport.

What is your coaching philosophy?

I believe every student, regardless of their natural talent, can improve with hard work and dedication. I don’t believe in relying on innate talent alone. My philosophy is that hard work always beats talent, and I strive to create a fun environment where students can express themselves and enjoy the sport.

How do you plan to enhance your coaching methods in response to changes in sports and student profiles?

I aim to better understand my players' individual needs and preferences. As students change over time, I adapt by learning how they respond to different teaching methods and ensuring I care for them as individuals while also making training enjoyable and effective.

What role does technology play in your coaching, and how does it impact the sport?

Technology, particularly video analysis, plays a key role in assessing technique and providing feedback. I use video to help students see where they can improve, and technology like the challenge system in volleyball helps improve fairness in matches. However, I caution against relying too heavily on technology, as sports are inherently physical.

What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a coach in the sports industry?

I would advise aspiring coaches to pursue what they are passionate about, rather than focusing on financial gains. The sports industry in Singapore may not be the most financially lucrative, but if you follow your passion, opportunities will open up, and it will be a fulfilling career.