Roller Derby Coaching #4

When someone comes to one of my Derby League practices, I hope they can let go of preconceived notion of roller derby coaching and / thoughts about how it should look.

I belive coaches are instructors, leaders and mentors. I want coaches to try to introduce a new way for skaters to learn about roller derby with the underlying motivating factor for success coming from skater initiation…. which is only possible if there is an environment that allows them to step it up.

Coaches will probably know early on who will not push themselves to make it through, but I like to let that thought go and hopefully they will surprise everyone. There is nothing preventing a skater from public competition or gaining strength other than the skater themselves. Every skater should be given the tools to let go of self doubt and gain self confidence; again, it is their choice to take the tools that are offered or not.

A COACH MUST BE ABLE TO:
Teach Basics, Basics Basics, Basics, Instruction, Instruction, and more Instruction.
Demonstrate each and every skill that is expected of the athletes
Have the ability to stay calm during games, bad ref calls, and poor choices made by athletes
Have the capacity to instill self-accountability by the skaters
Lead by example
Understand the counter-effective results of a negative or despotic coaching style.
Understand that a team is only as good as it’s weakest skater
Develop a winning mindset, and pass that attitude on to the skaters.
Perform with self confidence.
Overcome obstacles and adversity, as well as help ALL skaters learn to do the same.
Gain control of negative emotions and thoughts and share that concept with all skaters.
Make decisions on escalated issues, with particular focus on clear communication.

About thehotflashseattle

I'm a person who found derby at JUST the right time in my life to give me hope, make me stronger and experience something that had been waiting for me all these years! My mightiest goal is to mainstream the sport of roller derby. My selfish goal is to help other people find ways to skate,connect and inspire each other to get back on track when they begin to slip off and help them up when they fall. Doing this helps me believe that there are others ready to do the same for me. In 2012 I had four surgeries, two of which were mastectomies and now at 57 I'm cancer free and back on track. Three years ago on this profile I claimed not to be a "great" coach but wanted to share what I knew. I am revising that statement at this time because I have figured out that I'm a survivor, a warrior and a damn good coach! I am the founder of OneWorld Roller Derby in the Greater Seattle area. We are sharing our resources to help other leagues form and we're creating a circuit that is coming together utilizing USA Roller Sports as a common link. We are bring roller derby to schools, colleges, parks departments and community centers across the US. Helping each other through the pack is what makes life work for me. In the world we get knocked down, get back up, reset and help each other through the pack. We look ahead for the holes to jump through. We gain momentum to find the endurance we need to be able to make it around the track one more time even when we don't think we can. Derby = life = Derby; It's all the same game to me.
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1 Response to Roller Derby Coaching #4

  1. Norma Dolan says:

    The world is lucky to have you in it you are an inspiration to all .Keep up the dedication 🙂

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