1. Expertise is domain specific and developed over a long time

We often reference the 10,000 hour rule as being the minimum amount of time required to reach expert status in anything. (For more information, refer to the book The Talent Code.) Whilst it is possible to be great prior to this, the greatness experienced is likely to be as a result of some physiological ability, talent or external course of events, not because you are an expert. Expertise is also only applicable to a specific area. Just because you are an expert athlete, means little for being immediately an expert coach.

2. Expert sport coaches recognize patterns faster

This is such an important element. Experts have an ability to notice something most others do not. Before you can recognize a pattern, you have to have noticed the first time something occurred. Some coaches have a better eye for noticing than others. Some do not ‘see’ what is actually happening in front of them. Others can take note of such a minute level of detail, they can give high level direction to an athlete to make a small adjustment which can make a massive difference to the athlete’s performance (these coaches are said to have a well-developed ‘eye’).

3. Expert sport coaches have knowledge structured for easier recall

Expert coaches develop a framework or structure for doing what they do. This could be in relation to explaining technical or game specific information or communicating in general. For example, an expert coach I know, always starts communicating in the big picture before going down to the detail. Another coach describes the technique of their sport in a structure which they teach their athletes. This structure is referred to when making adjustments to the athlete’s technique. Understanding the structure is like understanding the system, it helps you to know how the various elements are related and therefore, how they affect each other.

4. Expert sport coaches sort problems into categories according to features of their solutions

Expert coaches know the various inputs required to be successful in sport. For example they know equipment, training program, relationships, team dynamics, environment, game plans and tactics are all elements of the whole program. When there is a problem, they can define what category it fits in to. They know that a problem with one area does not mean they change every area.

In our experience, the top coaches and most successful, fully understand the importance, impact and need to address the ‘people side’ of their sport. We have endless articles on this topic and we often refer back to the 2008 Canadian Olympic Study.

5. Expert sport coaches are initially slower to solve problems, but faster overall

Expert coaches may take longer to solve a problem at the surface level because they are not looking for symptomatic solutions which are purely remedial in nature. What this means is experts look beyond the symptoms to address root causes. Experts are usually excellent problem solvers who look for generative change which is in line with the wider system they are operating in. Non-experts do not have the wealth of knowledge to look back on and therefore lack total understanding, therefore often make simplistic solutions to obvious symptoms. Addressing symptoms usually only creates bigger problems later on.

6. Expert sport coaches are more flexible and better able to adapt

Expert coaches can adapt solutions due to their wider understanding of the overall environment and system. They usually have greater choice over what to do and how to behave as they possess greater awareness of what has and has not worked in the past.

What differentiates the expert coaches, is their ability to appreciate and adapt their coaching style to what the situation and athletes need. They have a well-developed coaching style and know with confidence how to adapt.

7. Expert sport coaches develop routines

Experts do so to allow processing capacity to be focused on ongoing environments. These coaches develop structures which underpin how they run their programs and teams. These structures and systems become the program, resulting in others also knowing how things work. Once these structures are known they become routines for all to follow. Anytime we create these routines, patterns or generalizations, it enables us to free thinking space for more complex problems. Every human being does this, expert coaches do it in the sporting environment for their athletes and teams. Examples include structured training times set in advance, feedback mechanisms and performance measures, and behavioral frameworks, all elements which are established up front and set so all understand.

8. Expert sport coaches take deeper meanings from cues

Expert coaches notice what is going on and they know that almost nothing is random. For example, when an athlete turns up late for practice, expert coaches notice and look for other examples of discontent in that athlete. They next thing they see may be the athlete not acknowledging their team members and perhaps not wearing the right socks. Experts notice the tiny details and attach meaning to them. Noticing the smallest cues means the expert coach can intervene before the problem becomes an issue.

Summary: factors contributing to expert sport coaches

So, to round off this article, here are the 8 Factors again. As encouraged in the opening paragraph, ask yourself how you measure against these:

1. Expertise is domain specific and developed over a long time
2. Experts recognize patterns faster than novices
3. Expert knowledge is structured to allow easier recall
4. Experts sort problems into categories according to features of their solutions
5. Experts initially are slower to solve problems than non-experts but are faster overall
6. Expertise is domain specific and developed over a long time
7. Experts develop routines
8. Experts take deeper meanings from cues