Someone in the Foundations class asked about what makes a good coach.

I actually decided to take the question to some ofthe professional fighters and athletes I know. Here is one answer that I think really helps put it into persepctive.

"being personable, understanding students capabilities, convincing the student they are having fun and disabilities, communication and truly understanding the material you are trying teach. there is a lot more to teaching saying 2+2= 4, you must be able to teach all the steps such as "how did you come up with 4?" as for coaching you can say" okay, here's an armbar, now do it" and people will be able to do an armbar but how to you get the armbar when the your oppoent resists, how come you cant make the guy tap? one truly must understand the techniques and all the steps in between to an effective coach."

-Judo Jon Krohn

I figure that a good coach or trainer is someone who can motivate someone else to be the best that they can be, and a key component is that the trainer has done or will do everything that he asks of the trainee. Simply, everything that Jillian asked me to do at The Biggest Loser Ranch are things that she would do with us if and when we asked her to.

In addition, I feel that a good trainer is willing to listen and work with the trainee, to make sure that he/she feels like they are playing a role in their own training. ( Jillian would ask me how I felt about a particular exercise when we were done, and I'd let her know if I thought the exercises were as impactful as they could be for me.)

I learned a ton about training that way, and as a trainer, it will help me immeasurably.

-Bill Germankos (Biggest Loser Season 4 Winner)

"A good coach is; a teacher. a friend, someone to respect, a mentor, a source of motivation, understanding yet un-compriomising at the same time. A good coach is a lot of things."

-Arlo Harvey

MMA Student

"A good coach is approachable"

-Cameron Cepek

WHL (Western Hockey League) Alumni

"A good coach is able to push a person past there physical capability and enter then mental state"

-Ellean Mickles

MMA Student

"I think the buggest thing would be someone who will actually coach you and show you the moves rather then just tell you. Also, someone who is patient and also someone who rolls or spars with the studetns. I guess my biggest thing would be patience, teaching ability, and more patience."

-Hedi Farzi

MMA Student

"A good coach needs to have a game plan for different situations but if it doesnt work, realize and be able to switch to a different plan. A personable coach is much easier to play for, one who you can talk to without feeling like he is going to get angry right away. Being honest it important. If someone is playing well let them know but dont beat around the bus, let them know they're playing poorly. Give expectations to the player so they know where they should be."

Krister Towes

WHL Alumni

 "I think someone makes a good coach by really knowing the sport their teaching, thats encouraging, kows waht they are talking about, helpful gets the job done but is still fun."

-Kyra Batara

High School Wrestler