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Changing from Coaching Guys to Girls or vice versa
Coaches,
As I am searching for a graduate assistant position now, I am applying to both Womens AND men's positions. I have never coached girl's basketball before, and frankly, I am am terrified of the idea for the most part,lol. I have always coached boys, I feel like I can relate to boys/men better, and my first intitial thought would be I don't have the slightest deal with how to adjust to the women's game. However, if I get a Women's grad asst position, obviously I will be grateful and accept what I can. So, I am wondering, what are the challenges or differences between the men's and women's games as far as coaching, besides the obvious things. Also, as a coach, how possible is it to go back and forth from the mens and women's game. Once you coach for several years as a Women's coach, is the overall viewpoint that you are now only a "WOMENS coach" and only seriously considered for those positions?
Thanks in advance!
As I am searching for a graduate assistant position now, I am applying to both Womens AND men's positions. I have never coached girl's basketball before, and frankly, I am am terrified of the idea for the most part,lol. I have always coached boys, I feel like I can relate to boys/men better, and my first intitial thought would be I don't have the slightest deal with how to adjust to the women's game. However, if I get a Women's grad asst position, obviously I will be grateful and accept what I can. So, I am wondering, what are the challenges or differences between the men's and women's games as far as coaching, besides the obvious things. Also, as a coach, how possible is it to go back and forth from the mens and women's game. Once you coach for several years as a Women's coach, is the overall viewpoint that you are now only a "WOMENS coach" and only seriously considered for those positions?
Thanks in advance!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ricky Yahn on -
I can't speak from direct experience, but I think it all depends on what you are looking to do with your career. If your goal is to be in Division I men's basketball, then I wouldn't suggest transitioning to women's and then hoping to get back to the men's game. If your goal is just to teach the game (regardless of level or gender) and if you can get back to the men's side you'd like to, but you'd be perfectly happy coaching women, then it's worth it.
The reason it's so difficult is because so many hirings are made based off relationships and not off your resume. Sure, you might get some great experience and have a nice job on your resume if you took the women's job. But you have to consider that everyone else trying to get a men's job next season is building relationships with men's coaches. Obviously you can try to network with the men's coaches on your own time, but you won't be at boys' summer AAU events, you won't be exchanging game film or e-mails with other men's coaches, you won't be seeing and talking to men's coaches in your league about various happenings during the year. You would naturally be interacting and networking with other women's coaches. It isn't impossible to do, there are some guys that coach women's for a while and get back, but it's rare. Most the guys never get the chance to switch back over, and usually the guys that do only get the chance when someone they know personally (again, relationships) gets a job.
And also to your point, I don't think you are necessarily viewed as only a "WOMEN'S COACH". But you have to keep in mind that they are quite different games and players that you have been working with. After years of coaching women, are you still able to accurately evaluate HS boys players and college men players? Do the offenses, defenses and philosophies you've developed transfer from a different style of play with women to the men's game? I think that's what makes it so stuff, you spend time coaching a different style of basketball and building a network of people outside the ones that can really get you a job and it just makes it difficult.
But again, it all depends on what you want out of your coaching career. If there's any chance 20 years from now and you were still coaching women that you'd look back and wish you never switched over, don't do it - coach HS, AAU, volunteer at a college, just do something to stay in the game. But if you can see yourself 20 years from now as a successful women's coach and glad you made that choice, go for it.
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Permalink Reply by Cavit Altunay on -
Word up. There are physical differences only. Men are quicker and more explosive.
You should concentrate on western shot rather then J.shot.
You will remark that, the women hands are quicker. But legs, contrary slow.
You'd better tune your program according female basketball.
Success is easier. Don' wary.
Good luck
a coach from Turkey
acavit@ttmail.com
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