OFFICIAL47 Why does the professor mention pregame meals?

[00:00.00]NARRATOR: Listen to part of a lecture in a Sports Management class.
[00:04.70]FEMALE PROFESSOR: So . . . I want to end today with a topic that many of you have had questions about when you’ve come to see me during my office hours. [00:12.12]A lot of you have told me you're specifically interested in careers as coaches.
[00:17.50]Now, it doesn't matter what sport you’re interested in coaching . . . volleyball, basketball, swimming . . . [00:24.00]there are some considerations for all new coaches to think about as they plan their careers.
[00:29.39]A recent study– a survey of high-school head coaches– helped identify some obstacles . . . [00:35.71]some things that head coaches felt they were not prepared for as they began their careers. [00:41.46]They were surveyed to determine what things they would do differently if they were starting their careers over again. [00:49.29]Based on their responses, several themes emerged.
[00:53.79]The largest number of responses was in the area of relationships –[00:59.79]79 percent of the coaches indicated that, if they had it to do all over again, they would do things differently in this area . [01:09.82]They said they'd deal differently with assistant coaches, parents, student-athletes, school administration . . . and, and pay more attention to those relationships.
[01:23.25]The second most critical area for these coaches was organization and administration. [01:31.45]To them, this meant things like better managing their budgets and delegating responsibilities . . . making sure that even minor things were taken care of—[01:42.74]like pregame meals... those sorts of things.
[01:47.06]MALE STUDENT: Excuse me, Professor. I know good nutrition is important, [01:51.05] but organizing pre-game meals isn't really something you consider when you're thinking about going into coaching as a career . . .
[01:57.26]FEMALE PROFESSOR: No. I guess not, Kenny. But… it's more an example of paying attention to the details. . . being organized.
[02:03.90]I do want to emphasize that the profession of coaching is about more than just wins and losses. [02:10.69]In fact, winning is probably stressed too much. At its best, I'd say coaching–especially in high school and college– is about teaching life skills through game strategy. [02:23.10]Of course coaching requires a specialized body of knowledge– [02:27.38]if you coach tennis, you need to know the rules of tennis . . . [02:30.00]if you're a football coach, you need to know all about football strategies– [02:34.38]and those are the sorts of things that you'll get in your classes here at the university... [02:39.87]But if coaches spend too much of their time on game strategy, well…y’see maybe that's secondary to... to the knowledge and skills [02:49.64]you'll need for the other roles you'll undertake as a coach– especially, as that survey emphasized, skills in dealing with people and, and administration…
[03:00.87]MALE STUDENT: But how do you . . . how do you improve in those areas? I mean, ...I'm gonna be an assistant coach at a high school, beginning next month, and . . .
[03:08.94]FEMALE STUDENT: Really? Nice going, Kenny!
[03:11.09]FEMALE PROFESSOR: Yes. That's wonderful!
[03:13.70]MALE STUDENT: Thanks. I’m excited.
[03:15.47]FEMALE PROFESSOR: So . . . Congratulations! Okay, well, to get better organized, [03:22.03]one thing is . . . take courses in business management . . . and not just the sports management courses in the Physical Education department... [03:29.95]other business and finance courses... [03:32.92]Oh! But wait a minute. [03:35.30]You said you’re starting next month? [03:37.52]What sport will you be coaching?
[03:39.58]MALE STUDENT: Gymnastics, mainly
[03:41.94]FEMALE PROFESSOR: OK, In my career, I've learned, well... as part of building and maintaining strong relationships, and working on administrative skills, [03:53.53]you’ve got to consider the other needs of your team, beyond the sport itself...
[03:59.13]Remember the team members are athletes and students. Um... and remember that if you’re enthusiastic about what you're doing . . . well, enthusiasm is catching, right? [04:12.94] You want team members to enjoy participating.
[04:16.29]MALE STUDENT: Right, but what about setting rules for your team? And is it better to be strict or not so strict?
[04:23.58]FEMALE PROFESSOR: Actually, I don't believe in having a lot of rules. [04:27.13]And coaches often do have too many. [04:30.13]I think that can get in the way of leadership and box you in.[04:34.65] I think people sometimes set rules just to make things easier for themselves. [04:40.79]That way, maybe later they just can refer to the rule and avoid making a choice. [04:46.90]You know the kind of person I'm talking about, right?
[04:49.78]But that's not to say the team shouldn't have any rules at all. Of course they need some.[04:55.97] So, early in a season, or when you first take a new job, establish a few basic ground rules for what is acceptable and non-acceptable behavior.
[05:06.21]FEMALE STUDENT: So what are some good ones?
[05:09.03]FEMALE PROFESSOR: Well, a couple rules a coach should have are– insist... that players be on time... and insist they practice hard and give their best effort. [05:22.35]And when you do establish a rule, stick to it.