A coach is someone who pushes you through hard times. They’re a best friend when you need one, but they also need to be a coach and do whatever they can to make you your best. A coach should bring out the best in their athletes. They believe in you, which will make you believe in yourself.

Antioch Community High School junior and dance team co-captain Brianna Chastain said, “I think that a good coach is someone who understands [his or her] athletes and encourages the team to accomplish their goals for the season. [A good coach] also need to be motivating and positive. A good coach is someone who may be harsh at times, but in the end truly cares and sincerely wants the best for the team.”

A coach will listen to what you have to say and take it to heart. They know that in order to help their athletes, they need to have trust in them. Let them know you  need the athlete’s trust to be successful in a season.  A good coach is someone who never gives up on their athletes, even if they are not doing their best, whether they are scared to do a trick or had a bad day.

Senior and field hockey player Abby Vogel said, “I think a good coach is someone who really cares about the sport and the people they are coaching. Someone who is willing to put in extra hours and time into making each and every athlete better on and off the court.”

Being positive is a great characteristic to have as a coach. It brings out the best in each and every athlete. Although a coach needs to be hard, they also need to be able to have fun and be passionate about the sport that they coach. Vogel also believes a team needs to have one set of rules for each athlete on the team, and that teams need to have respect for their coach and for the others on the team.

Finally, both athletes felt that a great coach needs to be able to connect with their athletes and form bonds that they will remember for the rest of their lives.