William Schlott

Coaching Philosophy
2/14/2019
Athletics plays an essential role in schools. They allow student-athletes to learn real
world lessons in a somewhat controlled setting. They learn how to work together toward a
common goal and that failing to do so has real consequences. By teaching students that athletics
is a privilege that depends on student-athletes being punctual, respectful, and preparing
themselves, a sense of obligation can be instilled into student-athletes. Athletics also gives
student-athletes an opportunity to learn how to interact with authority. How a student-athlete
interacts with a coach is very different than how he/she should interact with an official/referee.
This is why I believe that cooperation is the most important facet of any effective sports team.
My philosophy is an amalgamation of what I have observed of former coaches, what I
have learned in my various classes in sports management and physical education, and my own
personal experiences. From bad coaches I have learned that it is important to stay up to date with
appropriate practices, treat student-athletes with respect, and to focus on the fundamentals of the
sport. From good coaches I have learned how to encourage, motivate, and bring together a large
group of student-athletes to play as a team. In the classes I have taken, I developed an
appreciation for the science involved in training student-athletes. Knowing why and how the
body makes adaptations allows for a much more effective and efficient training program.
Being a coach is a huge responsibility to handle. The most effective coaches lean on
others to help them succeed. It is this reason that my coaching style is one of cooperation. I
understand too well that no one can know everything about any one sport. So, I fully intend to
work with my fellow coaches to utilize our individual strengths to compensate for our individual
weaknesses. I also believe that it is important to cooperate with your student-athletes as well. By
doing so you allow them to become more invested in the game and they learn the game at a
deeper level.
Athletics is also the perfect setting to establish the 4 C’s of education. In order for a team
to be competitive everyone must communicate in an effect and constructive way. This not only
allows a student athletes to broadcast calls and reads to each other but it allows them to solve
problems more efficiently. Athletics also provides student athletes with the unique opportunity to
encounter unscripted obstacles. This forces student athletes to think critically as a team. as it is
essential for students to work together team athletics encourages collaboration amongst
teammates, but also with their coaches. I intend to encourage my student athletes to think outside
the box. By doing so this will allow them to think more creatively.
The most important aspect of athletics, in my opinion, is that it simulates life in a way
that no classroom can. Student-athletes will have highs and lows, outrageous victories and heart
wrenching defeats. They will make mistakes. Student-athletes will be faced with what it is like to
have a boss and coworkers. Fairness and unfairness will be observed many times over. All in all,
athletics teaches student-athletes that it is important to stand on their own, but also that it is ok to
lean on your friends for support.