Coach vs Instructor

[hang-the-9]

So a funny thing happened at a tournament this weekend,

Had a guy I have not met before bid on me in a calcutta because he though I was my son's "Coach", which I guess led him to think that I was a top player and was a good deal with my handicap (5.5 with top being a 7).

Is there really any difference between a Coach and an Instructor? Is a Coach and Instructor that travels with the pupil to events to watch and teach more?

The other funny thing is that my son came in 7th in a field of 43 and I was out in 3 matches :smile:

I had him in the calcutta (with 2 bids) and would have made another $110 if he came in 4th LOL

 

[allanpsand]

There is a difference.

An Instructor works with an individual on an "ad hoc" basis - usually at the student's whim. The relationship is usually once or once in a while (couple times a year).

A Coach is someone who has a long term relationship with a shooter. Get togethers are more regula - once a week to once a month. Focus of coaching is on fixing minor things ranging from habit analysis to training in tactical thinking. Coaching is more about fine-tuning skills.

 

[Vahmurka]

For me, coach is the next grade of an instructor. A coach is one who works with a player regularly, almost on a daily basis, who works out a regimen of practice and physical training in complex, who monitors the results and his sportsman's performance.

An instructor is one who teaches the game, either at beginner or advanced level. Even though it can be long-time relationship, it never goes further than game skills. Like myself, I am an instructor but I'm not a coach to anyone.

 

[allanpsand]

Another service that a coach provides is for advanced players who see their game going bad.

The dumber ones attempt to solve the problem themselves - which they might do with enough experimentation over months - before they ask for help.

The smarter advanced players will notice their game going wrong and immediately have a coach watch them - The really good coaches can watch for five to ten minutes and provide the necessary adjustments to get the player's groove back.

The really smart advanced players have a coach check their game on a weekly basis - first to ensure fundamentals don't start slipping, and second, provide that extra push to keep up with regular practice sessions.

 

[FranCrimi]

Another service that a coach provides is for advanced players who see their game going bad.

The dumber ones attempt to solve the problem themselves - which they might do with enough experimentation over months - before they ask for help.

The smarter advanced players will notice their game going wrong and immediately have a coach watch them - The really good coaches can watch for five to ten minutes and provide the necessary adjustments to get the player's groove back.

The really smart advanced players have a coach check their game on a weekly basis - first to ensure fundamentals don't start slipping, and second, provide that extra push to keep up with regular practice sessions.

I don't agree with the dumb-smart thing. Some players enjoy the process of figuring things out, and that's what makes them good players. Other players would rather have someone watch them. To each his or her own.

 

[allanpsand]

I don't agree with the dumb-smart thing. Some players enjoy the process of figuring things out, and that's what makes them good players. Other players would rather have someone watch them. To each his or her own.

Some players have that tendency and preference. In my old age, I can't afford one or two months of testing various theories, especially when a good coach can quickly spot the problem and recommend fixes.

One advantage of getting old is the ability to recognize when people make (or don't make) decisions that keep their skills and competencies as constant as possible. Therefore - those who want to experiment - are perfectly welcome to do so. I just want to keep my skills sharp with the least amount of effort.