Coaching CrossFit
We take our roles as a coaches at CrossFit Moreton Bay seriously. We are here to teach you correct technique, correct movements and ensure you are moving correctly and improving as you progress. We would like you to leave the coaching to us. Teaching our members something you ‘know’ how to do, but don’t necessarily know how to correct, is more than likely muddying the waters. To ensure better form for the individual, it's better left to us ‘the coaches’ - I mean that’s why we are here … right?.
If you would like to be a coach one day, here are some things to start with.
It all starts with reading your client, some of you know by now that we can tell if something is up. Knowing how each of you move and then noticing improvements or when you have a negative body language is something that makes us good coaches. Understanding how the body moves is one thing but it takes thousands of hours of coaching and seeing improvements to look at someone move and figure out what it is they need to do to fix it or improve.
That’s why cookie cutter (one size fits all) cues like “Chest up” “Tight Core” “Big Breath” are a big ‘no no’. All coaching cues MUST come from someone qualified to give them.
Secondly, speaking the same language as your client is a skill you have to develope. People from a face to face sales or negotiations background tend to do well here. Saying the same thing over and over again with no results means you suck. I have always said coaching, especially in a group setting really needs to be about figuring out what language that client speaks and then speaking that language so they understand and can improve. Everyone is different, try explaining your corrections a little differently if they aren't getting it. Eg: Kettlebell snatches,“turn your thumb in and keep your elbows high and outside” - “zip up your jacket”.
This goes without saying and can be applied to any profession. But you have to have a positive personality….. This isn't the same as a positive persona. Coming in with a mask on, being all bubbly, social and happy will only last so long. You have to be able to be REAL positive. You have dozens of eyes on you for many hours of the day. If you bring your negativity into the gym, they will see it. You have to give everything you have, turning negatives into positives all day. Which should be easy, because this is the best job in the world.
Believe down to your soul in what you are teaching. Constantly learning and growing in your field will keep you ahead of the game. Which also means you need to practice what you preach. If you teach CrossFit you should do CrossFit. I have coached at many boxes, and the best ones have coaches who do CrossFit. At CrossFit Moreton Bay that's how we roll.
It also shows that you believe in the program you deliver to your clients. Don't give them something and you do something else that doesn't make sense. Lead by example.
CrossFit helps hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. Get involved!
Guy.
