History of Coaching

By shelbyoneall
  • 1550

    The Word "Coach" is Coined

    The term coach was first used to describe a horse-drawn vehicle that transported citizens to Vienna from the Hungarian city of Koc (van Nieuwerburgh & Allaho, 2017, p. 2).

  • "Coach" Used to Describe a Person

    A variation of the Hungarian word Kocsi, the word “coach” was not used to describe a person until the 1830’s (van Nieuwerburgh & Allaho, 2017, p. 2). A “coach”, as used during this time period, described someone who assisted a student through a course or exam– meaning that the term was used almost exclusively in academics for a short period of time (van Nieuwerburgh & Allaho, 2017, p. 2).

  • "Coach" Used in Athletics

    However, England was quick to adapt the term into an athletic sense, using the word “coach” to reference leaders in sport meant to guide athletes to success as early as the 1860’s (van Nieuwerburgh & Allaho, 2017, p. 2). From then on, sports coaching began to evolve into a professional field that grew rapidly worldwide.

  • Humanism & Psychology in Sports

    Abraham Maslam and Carl Rogers were prominent psychologists that championed the idea of humanism and the innate desire to achieve one’s true potential (van Nieuwerburgh & Allaho, 2017, p. 3). A similar impact is seen in the concept of “the hidden opponent”: the invisible mental barriers that stand between an athlete and success. Tim Gallway’s work in The Inner Game of Tennis revealed the importance of both the physical and mental aspects of competition, which was quickly applied to all sports.

  • Founding of Journals & Organizations

    Prominent associations and organizations in professional sports coaching are typically separated by sport. For example, the American Volleyball Coaches Association is the leading volleyball organization in the United States. Looking at journals present in coaching, the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) has published multiple volumes of the International Sports Coaching Journal.

  • Coaching Certifications Created

    This change was both necessary and ever-evolving, as coaches today are still required to receive certifications before being able to work with athletes. In fact, coaches now have to receive multiple certifications in many different fields of study: psychology, emergency medicine, finances and liability, and many others. The requirement of certifications was a pivotal event in the sports coaching field and continues to impact the profession today.

  • New Technological Advancements

    Rather than allowing unpredictable factors to remain in the sport, data collection sites such as VolleyMetrics and the use of video review systems have taken the game to the next level. However, as the sport continued to evolve, there became a need for further certifications for coaches.

  • Further Certifications Required

    USA Volleyball now requires all coaches to obtain certifications in concussion training, sexual assault awareness, and nationwide coaching techniques that all coaches should know. They have even created an entire platform dedicated solely to coaching education.