Contacts Episode #175: Leon Hammond

Welcome to this edition of the "The Coaching Journey," a newsletter dedicated to sharing insights and advice from experienced coaches. In a recent interview, Leon Hammond, an experienced coach and assistant principal, shared valuable insights on the connection between teaching and coaching. He emphasized the importance of having a structured plan in both environments, along with the significance of time management and investment in building relationships. Through observations of teachers and evaluation techniques, he discovered cross-disciplinary study as a means to enhance coaching.

10 Key Insights from Leon Hammond

• Great coaches are great teachers: Hammond emphasized that the majority of great coaches also excel as teachers. This highlights the importance of instructional skills and the ability to effectively convey knowledge in both the classroom and on the field.

• Practice plans and lesson plans go hand in hand: Hammond draws parallels between a practice plan and a lesson plan. Just as a teacher creates a lesson plan with objectives and strategies, a coach should have a practice plan that outlines the goals and activities for each session.

• Documentation enhances accountability: By having a practice plan or lesson plan, coaches and teachers increase their accountability. It provides a framework to demonstrate what was accomplished during a practice or a class and helps identify areas for improvement.

• Time management is crucial: Hammond emphasizes the significance of time management in both teaching and coaching. Just as teachers need to allocate time for various classroom activities, coaches must effectively utilize practice time to maximize skill development.

• Investment through dual roles: Hammond believes that coaches who also serve as classroom teachers exhibit richer and deeper investment in their coaching roles. Being a teacher and coach simultaneously allows for a deeper connection with the students and enhances the overall impact.

• Cross-disciplinary study: Hammond highlights the value of cross-disciplinary study by drawing from his experience as an assistant principal evaluating teaching techniques. He suggests that coaches can enhance their abilities by being open to learning from different fields and applying those principles in their coaching.

• Avoiding sports specialization: Hammond raises concerns about the modern culture of sports specialization. He believes that focusing on a single sport at a young age restricts the development of well-rounded athletes. Coaches should encourage athletes to explore other sports and engage in cross-training.

• Importance of relationships: Building meaningful relationships with athletes is a fundamental aspect of coaching. Hammond stresses the importance of developing strong connections with students and athletes to foster a positive learning and training environment.

• Teacher feedback helps coaching: Hammond believes that the evaluation techniques used in the classroom can be applied to coaching. Observation and feedback from teachers can provide valuable insights for coaches to refine their coaching methods and enhance their effectiveness.

• Learning from shared experiences: By participating in conferences and engaging with fellow educators and coaches, Hammond has gained valuable insights. Sharing experiences and ideas among professionals in the field can lead to continuous growth and improvement.

Leon Hammond's interview highlights the strong relationship between teaching and coaching, emphasizing the significance of planning, time management, relationships, and investment. The cross-disciplinary study is identified as an effective method for coaches to enhance their coaching abilities. Additionally, the interview encourages coaches to adopt feedback and learn from shared experiences, ultimately leading to continual growth and improvement in their coaching practices.

Listen to his episode here

Watch his episode here: You Tube

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Best regards, Justin Clymo

What Keeps Contacts Going.