The Third 50 - E12 - What Makes a Great Coach?

The Third 50 - E12 - What Makes a Great Coach?

Author: Glenn Mills & Wayne Goldsmith March 8, 2024 Duration: 57:25

Wayne and Glenn discuss what makes a great coach. From the public perception of greatness to the reality of everyday people being great.


We asked ChatGPT it's definition of what is a great coach, and the answers were pretty darn good.


A great coach is someone who possesses a unique blend of skills, qualities, and attributes that enable them to effectively guide, inspire, and develop individuals or teams to reach their full potential. Here are some characteristics that define a great coach:

  1. Excellent Communication Skills: A great coach can convey ideas, instructions, and feedback clearly and effectively, fostering understanding and trust among their players or team members.
  2. Empathy and Understanding: They have the ability to understand the needs, motivations, and challenges of each individual they coach, and they empathize with their experiences.
  3. Leadership and Vision: A great coach has a clear vision for success and inspires others to share and work towards that vision. They lead by example, setting high standards of behavior and performance.
  4. Expertise and Knowledge: They possess a deep understanding of the sport, field, or subject matter they're coaching in, as well as the strategies and techniques necessary for success.
  5. Adaptability: A great coach can adapt their coaching style and strategies to suit the unique needs and circumstances of their players or team, maximizing effectiveness.
  6. Motivational Skills: They know how to motivate and inspire their players or team members, instilling confidence, self-belief, and a strong work ethic.
  7. Feedback and Development: They provide constructive feedback in a supportive manner, helping individuals identify areas for improvement and develop their skills and abilities.
  8. Patience and Resilience: They remain patient and resilient in the face of setbacks and challenges, maintaining a positive attitude and encouraging perseverance.
  9. Trust and Respect: A great coach builds trust and respect with their players or team members through honesty, integrity, and fairness.
  10. Commitment and Dedication: They are deeply committed to the development and success of their players or team members, investing time, effort, and energy to help them achieve their goals.

Overall, a great coach is not just someone who helps individuals or teams win games or achieve success; they also play a crucial role in shaping character, instilling values, and fostering personal growth and development.


We hope you enjoy this episode, and we're glad to be back.


Glenn Mills and Wayne Goldsmith have spent their lives in and around the pool, and in their The Third 50 podcast, they dive into the conversations that happen after the stopwatch is put away. Named for the most grueling leg of a 200-meter race, this series explores what it truly takes to push through when everything hurts and the finish line still feels far away. Each episode feels like a candid chat between two seasoned experts, moving fluidly between the granular details of stroke technique and the broader, essential themes of athlete wellness and mental resilience. You’ll hear them unpack coaching philosophies, analyze the psychological demands of competition, and share stories that reveal the human side of high-performance swimming. It’s more than just tips for faster times; it’s about building the toughness required for that critical third fifty in a race and, by extension, in sport and life. Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded perspective that only decades of direct experience can provide, making this podcast a unique resource for swimmers, coaches, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of physical mastery and mental fortitude.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 18

The Third 50
Podcast Episodes
The Third 50 - E5 - The Need for Speed!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:19
Welcome to The Third 50! EPISODE 5 - WE HAVE A NEED - A NEED FOR SPEEEEEEEEEEEED! Speed is the most precious thing in swimming. It's what it's all about! The training, the sets, the repeats, the workouts, the dryland ses…
The Third 50 - S1 E4 - Drills Drills Drills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:07
Welcome to The Third 50! The Fourth Episode...DRILLS DRILLS DRILLS and more DRILLS!!! Download Wayne's chart here: Swimming coaches collect drills like kids collect candy! There are tens of thousands of swimming drills:…
The Third 50 - S1 E3 - Developing the Technical Eye [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:45
Welcome to The Third 50! This is the third episode in season one and it's an incredibly important topic - Developing the Technical Eye! Every coach needs to develop their "Technical Eye" - their ability to look at a swim…
The Third 50 - Ep 2 Season 1: Underwater Dolphins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:01
Welcome to The Third 50! In this Second Episode, Wayne and Glenn discuss the importance of underwater kicking! Under-water kicking - "Dolphins" are vital - they are essential for fast swimming. The question is - how can…