For Wondrous Words Wednesday, a look at the word “coach“. For more wordy discussion, visit Kathy at Bermuda Onion; she’s the hostess of this fantastic meme where readers share interesting words they’ve discovered.
I coach U8 soccer, and let me tell you, it’s not easy. Fun, definitely, but also exhausting. During one of my coach training courses, the instructor pointed out all the different roles coaches play:
- teacher
- mentor
- analyst
- public relations expert
- nutrition consultant
- organizer
- cheerleader
- fund-raiser
- mediator
- disciplinarian
Surely I’ve missed something… feel free to add to the list!
All these skills are required for a job that comes from the Middle French word for carriage.
Yes, that’s right. Carriage.
Coach (noun) can be traced back to the 1550s from the Middle French coche , the German kotsche, and the Hungarian kocsi (which literally translates “carriage of Kocs”, from the name of the village where carriages were made.)
The meaning for a coach as an instructor or trainer first came about in approximately 1830; it was used as slang at Oxford University for a tutor who “carries” a student through an exam. Coach in the “athletic sense” came about around 1861.
Pretty interesting, huh? I swear, Online Etymology Dictionary has become my new favorite site!
If you’ve had the privilege to know good coaches, then you understand that they do much more than “carry” their people through competition and performances. They inspire, instruct, and sometimes harass. 😉 No one should criticize a coach until he or she has coached. It’s a humbling, but rewarding, job.
(I also don’t think anyone should criticize a referee until they’ve done that job. Talk about tough!)
That’s me with my little soccer people. Can you feel the energy? Do you also see that those 7 and 8 year olds are almost as tall as me? That’s okay, I’m built low to the ground for speed and agility. (Thanks Nancy for the picture and Leslie for the short quote. We just won’t tell anyone how clumsy I am.)
What would be your definition of a coach? Can you add any more roles to that long list?
Thanks for getting nerdy with me today!
Julia
I really enjoyed this Julia – I use this word a lot within ministry. I would add that a coach also *leads* and *facilitates* — as well as *energizes* and rallies the team to stay focused and on track for the purpose they aim to achieve.
Coaching is no easy task, but one that is very rewarding — I love your photo! That’s awesome! Take special care Julia! Hester,
Awesome -and totally agree. No one should criticize a coach (or ref! or a number of other jobs) until they’ve walked in their shoes!
Julia,
Love this discovery. It is not hard to see the connection between coach and “carrying” people – love it.
Thanks,
Jane
I could write a post on my definition of coach. It’s all those things you listed. It’s also a consultant, therapist, and peace keeper. It’s role model and levity giver. It’s about encouragement and example. It’s trying to get it right for yourself because the kids are watching.
It’s accountability and teaching and patience. It’s got to be love. If you don’t love the game and love the kids, you’re doing both of you a great disservice. It’s as silly as caffeine-free Coke.
You get it, Julia. It’s that feeling you get when the troops are around you and you’re imploring them to dig deep and find something that will mean much more in life than it does on a random Saturday morning.
Wow, I think you did just write a post for your blog! Use those words- they are beautiful, and perfectly describe the heart of a great coach. Thanks for adding some serious depth to this conversation.
That makes total sense now that you point it out! A coach has to do it all today and you’re brave for taking on that role!