Outside of my role at Sport Structures (Amy Bryant), you will find me on the poolside, immersed in coaching artistic swimming four times a week. With nearly two decades of experience in coaching, I've had the pleasure of witnessing first-hand the transformative impact of prioritising athletes' needs. This UK Coaching Week, I want to share my experiences coaching artistic swimming, a demanding sport that thrives in a supportive, athlete-centred environment.
The Importance of Athlete-first Coaching
At the core of my coaching philosophy lies a fundamental principle: the athlete's well-being and development always come first. One of the main rewards I get from coaching is to see my athletes happy, making friends and developing skills, not just in artistic swimming but also crucial life skills. Artistic swimming is a highly technical sport that is very demanding, both physically and mentally. Progress is therefore hard-earned and requires perseverance and determination! This, I think, is what has shaped my approach to coaching, as keeping athletes motivated when they are learning difficult skills is crucial.
Building Relationships and Tailoring Coaching
Getting to know each athlete as an individual is paramount. A simple hello, a question about their day, or a genuine interest in their lives encourages a sense of belonging and creates a safe space for open communication. This attentiveness allows me to identify when an athlete might be struggling and provide the support they need before training even begins.
On one memorable occasion, I delayed starting a session to address the personal challenges three athletes were facing. It was so important to me that I addressed that on a human level and helped them offload so they could try and focus on their training. As I get to know my athletes more, I tailor sessions to suit different age groups, personalities, and goals. This is crucial for athletes with special educational needs, who are some of my highest-performing athletes, where spending a bit more time to build those relationships really pays off and helps them achieve their full potential.
Fun and Experimentation
Keeping athletes engaged is vital! Who says training can't be fun? I encourage my athletes to use their imaginations to make something that could be quite repetitive and boring a bit more fun. Yes, fun! I'm known for my "experiments" – creative coaching methods that might not always succeed but provide a platform for exploration and discovery. This creates a relaxed environment where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities. If athletes are having fun and have used their imaginations or something has made them laugh, they are more likely to remember the skill or routine and learn quicker.
Creating a Pressure-Free Zone
Competitions and grading days are nerve-wracking enough – I avoid adding to the pressure, they all want to do well and are already putting enough pressure on themselves. While we discuss coaching points and set loose objectives, my primary expectation is for athletes to give their all. Reminding them that 100% effort can vary from day to day takes some pressure off and allows athletes to focus on the process more than the result. This approach not only improves sporting outcomes but also encourages essential life skills, developing resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset that extends far beyond the pool.
Keeping Athletes Engaged in Sport
The majority of my athletes are aged between 7 and 18, with a significant portion (one-third!) within the 15-18 age group – a demographic famous for dropping out of sports, particularly girls. My athlete-centric approach tackles this challenge head-on. I put their needs first by acknowledging other factors in their life where they have concerns or stress, particularly encouraging open discussions about periods and being conscious of exams. While I encourage regular attendance to training, I understand the fact that they are likely to miss a few sessions during exam season which encourages them to keep training and not drop out. Furthermore, I offer opportunities for my athletes to get involved in other ways, such as volunteering on the poolside to achieve their Duke of Edinburgh Award or assisting with coaching, which sometimes then progresses to them completing an assistant coach course.
The Rewards
The benefits of prioritising athletes are undeniable. I'm a strong advocate for athlete-centric coaching. It's a philosophy that encourages not just sporting achievement but also well-rounded individuals. This approach creates a positive, welcoming environment, leading to happier, more engaged athletes who progress faster and maintain their commitment to the sport well into their teenage years and beyond. Witnessing their growth and resilience is the true privilege of coaching. This UK Coaching Week, I encourage all coaches to embrace this approach and experience the transformative power of putting athletes first.
