Success of a coach

Oct 14, 2022
2 min read

This article was translated from a previous article appeared on HEFSM website (Haute école fédérale de sport de Macolin).

To various people involved in performance sport was asked what they think makes a coach successful.

Markus Pfisterer, Head of the Ethical Violations Section at Swiss Sport Integrity and former Director of Swiss Cycling

"A good coach is someone who is a psychologist, a scientist, a strategist and a friend. He or she is able to transmit the pleasure of doing sport and the values of sport, while motivating the athletes to give their best."

Christina Nigg, Head of Performance Sport Olympic Boxing, AOB SwissBoxing

"A good coach must have a perfect knowledge of the physical condition, all types of strength, physical strengths and weaknesses and cognitive skills of his or her athletes. Beside this a good coach must have the ability to personalize the tactical-technical and strategic work, and then, in competition, to develop "mental toughness". In the corner of the ring during matches, the coach's ability to empathize with his athletes is an additional factor of success. It requires two things: experience of boxing from the boxer's point of view and capacity of analyzing objectively the opponent's behavior during the fight in order to give his or her protégé the appropriate feedback during the fight. This requires a very close collaboration, based on deep trust."

Peter De Cruz, curler, 2018 Olympic bronze medalist

"A good coach must be effective in communication and build trust with his athletes - saying the right thing at the right time to get them to perform at their top."

Martina van Berkel, former swimmer, Olympian and member of the Swiss Olympic Executive Board

"Successful coaches are those who help athletes become the best version of themselves."