What do you love about your coach?

[ireniecat]

What are the things your coach does that makes you love working with him/her? I don't just mean knowing how to dance well and teaching it to you, but what is it about the way they teach that you like? What qualities do they bring out in you that others can't?

For example, I have a coach that no matter what kind of day I've had or how "blah" I may be at the beginning of the lesson, I'm always focused and inspired by the end. This is because she has a calm demeanor, takes the time to explain things in a way that doesn't make me feel stupid, doesn't put up with whining, and has high expectations of me. And those are things I like

 

[latingal]

All of my pros/coaches have; a great sense of humor, in depth knowledge of their craft, use a conceptual approach to teaching dance (rather than piece meal corrections), are willing to use/find whatever method the student learns the best with, enjoys sharing the journey of taking a student toward their potential and are generous enough to be invested in their students.

 

[dlgodud]

All of my pros/coaches have; a great sense of humor, in depth knowledge of their craft, use a conceptual approach to teaching dance (rather than piece meal corrections), are willing to use/find whatever method the student learns the best with, enjoys sharing the journey of taking a student toward their potential and are generous enough to be invested in their students.

I am always surprised to read this forum. Sometimes I know that something is missing in my dancing, but I could not find the right words to describe. For example, above post by Latingal, 'piece meal corrections', hmmmmm, I was thinking about that late at night yesterday how I am going to talk to my coach about his approach of teaching. I am not happy with his piece meal corrections. But, overall he is a fantastic teacher.

 

[etp777]

absolutely their patience. Every coach, pro, teacher, etc I've ever had in my life would tell you I'm stubborn and difficult almost beyond belief. Somehow, my pro and buddy teacher (and even my regular coach, if I can claim to have one), seem to have no problem finding the patience to deal with me. Though, that may only be accomplished with lots of drinking and complaining later, I'm not sure.

 

[fascination]

well...I haven't had a coaching in nearly a year, but pro and his wife have more to offer than I can absorb...and probably the thing I like the most about him is his work ethic...it is simply astonishing and it challenges me to do the same...

as to previous coaching, I responded best to good analogies, professionalism, and a hands on "feeling" approach...I tend to appreciate the folk who are a bit more serious than the warm fuzzy types...

 

[TAK]

All of my pros/coaches have; a great sense of humor, in depth knowledge of their craft, use a conceptual approach to teaching dance (rather than piece meal corrections), are willing to use/find whatever method the student learns the best with, enjoys sharing the journey of taking a student toward their potential and are generous enough to be invested in their students.

I think this is like...THE list of qualities I really appreciate in a good coach. Well articulated!

 

[TAK]

Oh, and one more thing: I personally really like coaches who break down the elusive "performance" aspect, at least to some extent, and preferably in physical terms (like posture, tension, sharpness, extension, etc). I know this is an area I've struggled with a lot, but it just bugs me when coaches say things like "Come on! SELL IT! You're not selling it!" If anything it just makes me feel inhibited. The best coaches I've had have always been able to explain how to "sell it" rather than just telling me to do it.

Sorry, that got a little ranty, haha. I guess it goes to latingirl's comment about being willing to find the method that works best for the student. It is so helpful when a coach can break something down and explain it another way if I'm not getting it, rather than just repeating him-/herself.

 

[fascination]

so interesting b/c IMV if only everything else was as easy as selling it, I'd be golden

 

[j_alexandra]

All of my pros/coaches have; a great sense of humor, in depth knowledge of their craft, use a conceptual approach to teaching dance (rather than piece meal corrections), are willing to use/find whatever method the student learns the best with, enjoys sharing the journey of taking a student toward their potential and are generous enough to be invested in their students.

That's not a teacher; that's Superteacher! You are one lucky latingal!

This brings me to a question I've long wanted to ask. (Hope it's not a hijack, because it does speak to this thread.)

I've heard the term "teacher's teacher." What does it mean?

 

[danceronice]

I'm trying to find something to say that doesn't sound like sucking up. Because odds are fairly decent at least one of them will read this. Also, they're my employers.

Aw, some of you have met my pros. You know why they're awesome. And obviously they have the patience of saints because they put up with me, and my periodic days when I have the dumb.

 

[ireniecat]

well...I haven't had a coaching in nearly a year, but pro and his wife have more to offer than I can absorb...and probably the thing I like the most about him is his work ethic...it is simply astonishing and it challenges me to do the same...

I think that quality is of huge, HUGE! importance for that exact reason

 

[latingal]

Sometimes I know that something is missing in my dancing, but I could not find the right words to describe. For example, above post by Latingal, 'piece meal corrections', hmmmmm, I was thinking about that late at night yesterday how I am going to talk to my coach about his approach of teaching. I am not happy with his piece meal corrections.

Hi dlgodud! I'm glad to have been a bit of assistance. Depending on the teacher and the depth of their knowledge, sometimes you don't even have to directly address the situation. You can flow a correction based approach in to a conceptual approach by asking certain questions after you've received a correction - like; "what other movements should I be applying these corrections to?", "why do we do it this way?", "is this related to this other correction you just gave me?".

I ask a lot of questions when I take lessons, I exasperate my teachers at times. Sometimes they look at me with the evil eye that says "just shut up and dance" - which is the right approach with me when I go overboard. But even so, they have admitted at times that my questions make them better teachers.

 

[latingal]

Well articulated!

thanks! though I think I did miss a few, particularly liked fascination's work ethic and etp's patience!

 

[latingal]

I've heard the term "teacher's teacher." What does it mean?

If I were to take a guess, since I haven't heard a direct definition, it would be the coaches who have gathered a superior level of information and understanding in the concepts of the dancing, have developed frameworks from which to teach it in, and are able to pass along the knowledge of not only how to execute the dance, but how to teach it in such a way that it is most easily comprehended.

 

[DanceAngel]

I think what makes my instructor so great is that my lessons are fun. I enjoy the time spent there. He is extremely technical, but that works for me, because IMO anyone can learn steps but if you don't have technique it (dancing) will never be great.

Sometimes I'll do a step wrong (not on purpose), in a way he hasn't seen before, and he'll give the strangest look and burst out laughing. His strange look then causes me to start laughing. This type of stuff keeps the lessons fun. But in all seriousness we do get stuff accomplished.