Teaching vs Coaching

Teaching vs Coaching By: Marty Berson Is there a difference between a teacher and a coach? The differentiation between the two is that the teacher not only instructs how to execute a play or technique but explains the methodology that is the basis for the instruction. The coach instructs how he wants a play or a technique executed without an explanation of the whys or wherefores. Teachers want their athletes to be conceptual, instinctive and reactive; coaches want their athletes to be responsive to commands. Coaches demand respect whereas teachers strive to gain respect on a daily basis. Teachers are far less controlling in allowing their athletes to make decisions based on acquired repetitive instruction. Coaches demand control of everything. How does a pitcher ever learn how to pitch or a catcher learn how to call a game if the coach calls every pitch? A teacher instructs his pitchers and catchers how to attack the various hitting types with pitches or location best suited for getting them out. Once learned the teacher allows the battery mates to call the game. Giving up control is very difficult for coaches. Whereas teachers are constantly striving for their athletes to take control and not be so dependent on them. Coaches are fearful of second guessing. Teachers understand that second guessing comes with the territory of allowing their athletes to make decisions. Coaches are conservative in nature allowing games to be won or lost by the team's ability to hit or not hit. If a team loses they have a built in excuse, the team just didn't hit. Again this stems from fearing being second guessed. Teachers knowing how hard the game is do not rely on hits to win games. Good teachers know when and how to manufacturing runs when the team is not hitting. Coaches win when they have the horses, teachers win with or without the horses. Teachers believe strongly in their philosophy and methodology that has been result tested. They only change to improve or strengthen an established skill or concept. Coaches change philosophies of their beliefs at the drop of a hat. A teacher knows how to motivate his athletes individually and as a team. Teachers are approachable and have an open communication to and with their athletes. Coaches want a buffer zone. Teachers are constantly striving to positively motivate their athletes. Coaches are less approachable and although an effective motivating factor at times, fear is their prime motivator. Teachers understand the impact and influence that their words and actions can have both positively and negatively long term on their athletes. Coaches are only result oriented by their obsession with wins and losses. Teachers are about building relationships. Coaches are about building resumes. Teachers know that the team belongs to the players. They also understand that it is a privilege to teach. Coaches think that it's their team and their right to coach. Our whole approach to teaching is centered on making each member of the team better than he was yesterday. We constantly work to upgrade the performance levels of each of our athletes. Success is based on our ability to communicate; to get our athletes to accept our concepts, techniques and designs and perform them in a consistent manner as taught. These are the teaching principles, techniques and methodology used to motivate and inspire our athletes. First a good teacher must believe that every individual is equally important to the program and have the ability to sincerely make them feel that way. Otherwise why even have these individuals on the team? Everyone must be made aware of the importance of accountability in respect to every team member's responsibilities to the team. Everyone must know how to bunt, run the bases, defensive and offensive schemes, signs and all other nuances that they may be called upon to execute in the heat of battle. Also, without a strong bench the starters have no one to push them to reach their full potential. Teachers come to the field with a daily goal of gaining more and more respect and confidence from their players. Their mode of operation is inspiration and praise over tearing down or berating. Mutual respect between a teacher and his athletes is the real key to discipline. Teachers are not disciplinarians rather the purveyors of self-discipline in their athletes. All the rules in the world will not work without it nor will fear or punishment. Mutual respect is the byproduct of hard work and meaningful communication. In matters of discipline when needed, teachers must always be firm, fair and above all consistent. Discipline and morale are interdependent and without the establishment of a consistent disciplinary policy there will be no morale. Developing the aforementioned respect toward teachers, teammates and the opponent will foster the establishment of a disciplined individual far more than fear or punishment. The human being is a very complex entity and no one yet has come up with a standard by which all humans may be judged. It is essential that a teacher inspire learning in every athlete. He works very hard to create within his athletes the desire to perform as they have been instructed and at times take it to another level. The best teachers are those that come to work every day with unbridled enthusiasm. That enthusiasm is infectious and permeates a conducive environment for learning that is both fun and productive. In conclusion as one can see there are many differences between teaching and coaching and that there are too few teachers and far too many coaches.