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Australian Academy of Fencing | Swashbucklers' | En-Garde! Fencing |
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE TEAM COACH
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THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE TEAM COACH |
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Prof. Michael A. O'Brien B.A.F. |
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most athletic events these days it is customary, or at least felt
desirable, to appoint a coach to take charge of teams in interstate or international
competitions. In fencing, as with other sports, the coach selected
is seldom the usual mentor of all or even most of the team. His
position, therefore, is one of particular delicacy and
responsibility. Delicacy, because he must not unbalance the
preparation of the fencers to whom he is, temporarily, a guide, and
responsibility, because his is the task of welding fencers with varying
techniques, taught by a variety of masters, into an harmonious and
effective fighting group.
Aware of these problems, a coach must set about establishing a personal contact with each member of the team. He can do this through contact with each member of the team. He can do this through discussion, while supervising group preparation and training activities, and by giving routine lessons. However, it is too late to try to make drastic adjustments to individuals' techniques, for it can be assumed that any fencer selected for a team will be an established performer. In addition, a wise coach must understand that he personally may not be the best judge of a fencer's make-up or personal idiosyncrasies. The appreciation of these factors often comes after long and intimate association between coach and pupil, nor is the rapport thus built up always transferable. Consequently, the team coach's ability to teach is limited, his need to accommodate is great. It is in the ability to instill enthusiasm and courage, and to guide, that a good coach really shines. His wisdom and inspiration can mean the difference between victory and defeat, and between spirited resistance and despairing submission. The coach's ability to appraise quickly, analyse tactfully can be indispensable to seasoned campaigner and novice alike. Most wise coaches chat to their team before a contest. This "pep talk" must raise the team's morale to a peak and stimulate that combative and enthusiastic mood needed for success. Experience teaches that an unemotional approach with a dead-pan face is not likely to produce the right frame of mind! During a competition the fencers get nervous, edgy and temperamental under the pressure involved. At this stage, by seemingly insignificant word or deed, he coach can allay doubts and transform hesitancy and apprehension into purpose and composure. Advice given may not necessarily be exhaustive. If by it tension is reduced and concentration enhanced, even an apparently minor tip can accomplish much. Often the emotions engendered by tough competitions can be fiery, but fortunately, the blaze should be short-lived and tempers rapidly repaired afterwards. However. a coach will use all his powers throughout a match - enlivening, cajoling, goading scolding or sympathizing where appropriate for the personality and the occasion, and not sparing himself instill all is won or lost. When disturbances arise, disputes have to be settled and appeals heard, it is vital to get all dealt with speedily, and the team must be made to accept the outcome with philosophy. It is essential to see what grudges and worries about dubious decisions or past failures are put clean out of mind. A lesson may be learnt with profit, but a ranking thought merely distracts. Not only must the coach try to protect his team from their own distracting thoughts but also from would-be well-wishers and hangers-on who plague fencers and coach alike with constant chatter, inept remarks and inappropriate horse-play and bonhomie. These pests can wreck a team's equilibrium and concentration. During the match the team and coach should wait together as a group, not too close to spectators to maintain espirit d'corps and an atmosphere of relaxed watchfulness. Whilst often forgotten and ignored, the reserve member of a team can assist his team and the coach immeasurably. He can aid with warming-up practice, help with temperamental gear, attend to his team mates' needs and generally alleviate those finicky worries that cause disproportionate irritation. This is a most vital contribution which makes him an integral member of the team. In conclusion, while disappointment is one thing, discouragement is another. If a coach can return with a happy team full of the desire to try again and the incentive to work for victory in the future, even a defeated team has not been a total failure, and neither has their coach. By now however no-one needs a vacation like that coach!
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Last modified: 10 Feb 2008 |
Michael A. O'Brien 1955