This is just a bit of light entertainment with a serious undertone. Please feel free to discuss.
Having a badge is 1 thing but the true test of a coach is how they utilise the knowledege learned and transfer that to a group of players who in turn must transfer that to a creditable performance on the pitch. Be aware that a session that goes great with 1 group may turn out to be the worst time of your life with another and its no fault of your own. Try not to take it personally because such is life. A good coach doesnt become a bad coach overnight, but likewise a bad coach doesnt become a good coach overnight.
A good coach can and will adapt to the needs of his/her group of players. All the badges in the world will not turn you into a good coach. Experience has taught me that coaching is less about the amount that you know and more about what you can get your players to learn and understand. Players that understand what is required a more likely to produce what is required. Therfore a good coach should be able to hold the attention of his players with engaging question and answer sessions at any level and sessions designed to emphasize the points being made.
If your team loses 6 - 0 then dont set up a shooting practice for the next session (believe me, it happens). Sure you didnt score but to concede 6 would suggest that defending should be a greater priority. Correct analysis is a key to good coaching, somewhat like a doctor making the correct diagnosis allows for more successful treatment.
Be aware that if you coach a team but dont get to see their games in particular youth football, then when the manager comes to you and says i think we need to work on xyz this week. He could be way off the mark. The chances are that he will see a different game to the 1 you will. No 2 ways about it that scenario means you are coaching blind.
Having coaching badges does not mean that your oppinion is definitive or that because your badge is higher than someone elses it means you are automatically a better coach than them. It merely means that you have reached a preset standard set out by the powers that be. i.e There are plenty of people with degrees that dont have the common sense they were born with.
Be prepared to not be able to watch a professional game of football again in the same way. This is really more relevant for level 2 upwards. You will see good goals however when that goal came about as a result of a shoddy piece of play 10 seconds earlier it will detract from your enjoyment especially if its scored by
Manchester United. You will also be left wondering how managers with the 'A' licence let players who are so called world class get away with what they do when you know full well that if they had that same attitude whilst taking part on your coaching course then they would be pulled back over and over again until they actually did what was required.
To conclude, a good coach needs to be adaptable, approachable, open minded, broad shouldered, Knowledgeable, strong willed and be prepared to learn from those you are trying to teach. Notice i never said nice. Oh and remember It can have a detrimental influence on your enjoyment of watching the game be it professional or otherwise. Ha Ha. Good Luck All!
