A subtle yet significant distinction between being right and being better is incorporated into every professional’s life and career. This difference is crucial to understand, as it can mean an expansion of understand why you do what you do. There’s often a silent battle between asserting one’s knowledge and understanding the nuanced needs of athletes and fellow coaches. The desire to be “right” can sometimes overshadow the ultimate goal: improvement and success in the game.

The strength coach’s role isn’t merely to implement robust training programs; it’s also to foster a collaborative environment where understanding and communication thrive.

Understanding begins with active listening. When we listen attentively to athletes and peer coaches, we open doors to insights that might be invisible through the lens of “being right.” It’s about appreciating the unique attributes and limitations of each athlete, acknowledging the specific requirements of different sports, and respecting the perspectives of other coaches.

This approach not only strengthens the coach-athlete relationship but also crafts a training regimen that is truly tailored, effective, and reflective of the athletes’ and the game’s dynamic needs.

The Value Of Strength

Strength isn’t merely a physical attribute measured by the amount of weight an athlete can lift; it’s a multifaceted quality that empowers athletes to perform at their peak. Strength is the silent engine that drives the explosive sprints down the football field, the high jumps on the basketball court, and the powerful swings on the baseball diamond.

However, the value of strength extends beyond physical prowess. It’s a psychological asset that instills confidence, resilience and determination in athletes.

When athletes recognize the tangible improvements in their game resulting from enhanced strength, they are more inclined to commit to the rigorous, often grueling, training sessions in the weight room. This commitment, in turn, cultivates a mindset focused on continuous improvement and excellence, essential for both sports and life.

A Case For Improvement

It’s a compelling testament to the transformative power of improvement. Acknowledging weakness is often the first step. With this awareness, the athlete can engage in targeted strength training, gradually building the muscle power necessary for effective play.

But the journey doesn’t stop at physical improvement. Dedication to enhancement must mirror game strategy, positioning, and the athlete’s overall approach. In this way, athletes become not just a stronger players, but smarter, more strategic ones, standing out significantly among their peers.

In the pursuit of excellence, being better should always take precedence over being right. As high school strength coaches, fostering an environment that values improvement and understanding over perfection is crucial for the holistic development of athletes. By doing so, coaches both contribute to their immediate success in sports and also instill in them lifelong values of dedication, hard work, and continuous learning.

Athletic Performance Suppliers Who Can Help

Concordia University, St. Paul
The Master’s Degree in Sport Management from Concordia University, St. Paul is an online program that explores leadership, strategy, marketing, and legal concepts pertinent to the field. Students will showcase proficiency in applying, analyzing, and assessing fundamental principles in sport management, including sport marketing, financial management, business administration, and facility and event management.
Honey Stinger
Honey Stinger is trusted by 1k+ Pro and College Teams. More than 1,000 teams, plus a generation of outdoor & endurance athletes prepare, perform and recover with Honey Stinger to help achieve their performance goals and feel better along the way.
Human Kinetics
Human Kinetics leads the world in providing information related to physical activity. That information takes many forms: textbooks, books for consumers, instructor support materials, journals, online courses, video, digital products, and more.
Logan University
Healthy futures begin here. High-performing athletes deserve the most qualified, well-rounded athletic performance coaches. Meet this demand with Logan University's science-based, evidence-informed curriculum.
Matrix Fitness
Matrix Fitness is dedicated to serving fitness facilities of all kinds with complete, forward-thinking solutions, setting them apart in exciting ways. Our internationally celebrated designs have been recognized around the world for their dynamic performance, exceptional comfort, approachable aesthetic and unmatched durability.
Mondo
Thousands of athletes train and compete on MONDO surfaces and weight room flooring, achieving outstanding results, breaking world records and overcoming their own limits. It is thanks to their help and constant feedback that Mondo has redefined the standards of sports flooring, setting the benchmark for new achievements to come.
Royal Basket Trucks
Royal Basket Trucks, Inc. is a leading producer of carts, trucks and containers used in facilities throughout the United States. The Royal brand is recognizable in markets such as material handling, hospitality, healthcare, commercial laundry, education, recycling, athletics, property management, retail, warehousing and distribution.
Samson Equipment Company
Samson Equipment builds affordable weight room solutions personalized to your needs and mission. We deliver the highest quality product in the industry backed by the Samson Lifetime Warranty. We are the weight room manufacturing professionals with over 40 years of experience.
TeamBuildr
TeamBuildr is the #1 performance platform for strength coaches that schools are using all around the world. Our powerhouse platform provides coaches and teachers with an elevated experience when it comes to program development, data tracking, and staying connected with student-athletes, especially during the summer months.
The Right Stuff
Serious hydration for serious athletes from NASA. The Right Stuff is liquid electrolyte packets that optimize athletes’ performance & recovery.
Concordia University Chicago
Enhance your strength and conditioning knowledge while preparing for the CSCS by enrolling in the Strength and Conditioning concentration at Concordia University Chicago. Our fully online MS in Applied Exercise Science program, focusing on Strength and Conditioning, is tailored for working professionals, offering asynchronous classes for flexible learning at your convenience. We maintain small class sizes to foster connections with both your peers and instructors. Additionally, the option for dual concentrations is available.