Welcome to the Coach’s Corner!
This edition is to introduce you to excellent coaches that possess hard working, yet humble characteristics. These individuals cultivate culture, are creative innovators that blend the art and science of human performance, and most importantly: CARE.
Coaches of all walks of life and sport performances are looking to improve their athletes’ potential. Every day is an opportunity. Every practice is a day to turn an athlete’s weaknesses into strengths. As you are seeking to improve the physical, technical, and tactical training sometimes it is hard to incorporate the mental aspect of your sport. Most coaching certifications and training have a mental piece in order to gain those particular credentials. There are also a wide variety of resources for coaches to get that training such as the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) and the Positive Coaching Alliance. So, let’s see how some of the best are implementing those techniques an strategies day in and day out.
Coaches are there to aid student-athletes in more than just wins and losses. The psychology of coaching involves building self-confidence, handling challenges and obstacles, achieving goals in and out of sport, managing stress outside of sport, and improving the well-being of the human being you work with.
Meet Coach Woods. DeAndra'e is the Head Coach of the cross country and track & field programs at Chapman University. He was a sprinter at NCAA Division I Cal State Fullerton from 2008-12 and was a team captain from 2010-12. Woods has certifications from the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as a Sprint/Hurdles/Relay Specialist and a Jumps Specialist. He also is certified as a USA Track & Field Level 1 Coach and is a certified USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach. In this video we discuss Sport Psychology integration to his programs, how he is building a culture and owning their team mission as they revamp Chapman's XC and track and field programs. Woods also talks about how he structures team meetings to integrate the mental game and gives vital information for coaches on gathering resources and mentorship.
Take a look at this video from Coach Woods on how he approaches the mental game and incorporates Sport and Performance Psychology into his coaching.
If you would like to contact Coach Woods, follow him on Twitter @CoachDeAndrae and send an email to dwoods@fullerton.edu
