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Sample Paper Chapter I:

Chapter I

Statement of Purpose

Being a coach is one of the most challenging and rewarding endeavors a person can ever

undertake. Coaching is a multifaceted profession that incorporates organization, leadership,

passion, technical expertise, commitment, psychology, and friendship. Coaching can be seen as a

calling. The opportunity to experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows exists through

coaching. At its height, coaching can take a group of people with different perspectives, goals,

and mindsets and can mold them into a single, undeniable force to achieve a common purpose.

At its most challenging, it can take that same group and help them handle adversity and

disappointment.

In creating a comprehensive coaching philosophy, it is critical to understand the role

coaches play in the lives of the athletes they serve. Coaches are teachers in the truest sense,

since they instruct athletes in the correct technical and strategic methods used in the sport they

play. Coaching would be a much less daunting task if it were only about teaching a sport and its

complexities. However, the ability of a coach to reach athletes in realms outside these areas is

the true essence of the influence a coach has on the athletes under their leadership. The real

challenge in coaching is seen in how coaches handle the human element when dealing with their

teams. The life lessons taught through the relationships forged through athletics are what makes

coaching unique and the influence one person can have on many is the lasting implication of the

profession.

Through this document, many facets of the coaching profession will be explored and

detailed information provided into the philosophy that goes into having a significant impact on

the lives of others through coaching. The chapters will include not only why coaching is both

needed and critical in the lives of today’s athletes, it will also outline the processes philosophy

used by many of the most influential and successful coaches the profession has seen. The

underlying theme in coaching philosophy is and has always been that it is the obligation of the

coach to instill values and characteristics that will enhance the lives of others. Through this

influence, effective coaches help develop young people who stand on principle and can handle

the challenges that life will undoubtedly provide in the years to come.

There are layered responsibilities a coach has in addition to the priority to influence the

lives of their athletes in a positive way. Coaches act as leaders within their organization manage

equipment and facilities, plan events, and must be organized in every aspect of their program.

The ability to research information and use that research for the betterment of the athletes is also

an important responsibility. Coaches must be knowledgeable of legal aspects of athletic and

education, negligence, and risk assessment. There is also the moral obligation to adhere to the

regulations of the rules of the governing bodies of athletics as well as an ethical obligation in

being forthright in all decisions regarding the operation of an athletic program and members of

the organization. These topics will be addressed in the document as well.

The purpose of this document will be to outline a strategy to use coaching to make a

significant impact on the lives of others. Information will be provided that will enhance the

knowledge of coaches and athletic administrators at all levels to make this impact. The scope of

the research will include varied topics to meet the criteria of the purpose. The wins and losses,

accomplishments and disappointments are all part of the process of having athletes leave a

coach’s program better people than they were before, ready to encounter the joys and hardships

of life and the relationships they will encounter.