CHARACTER COACHING
Why is a Character Coach Needed?
One of the most important roles coaches play in preparing players for competition and life is to give them a chance to develop good character.
We expect a game plan for coaching the X’s and O’s of our sport. What isn’t always clear is how to coach character. Over time we have seen an ever-growing gap develop between coaching the fundamental aspects of a specific sport and the development of quality character. Character Coaches exist to fill this crucial gap in developing the complete athlete.
Want to learn more?
Once you fill this out, an FCA staff member will reach out to learn more about your interest and share details about this ministry opportunity.
Download our overview packet
This packet provides more information about this role, expectations, best practices, and basic guidelines that every Character Coach needs to know.
When discussing the role of a Character Coach it is important to know the difference between a Character Coach and a Chaplain. Both roles are critically important but distinctively different. Which role you play with a team is determined by the audience.
| Character Coach | Team Chaplain |
|---|---|
| Values Based | Faith Based |
| The goal is to teach character | The goal is to foster spiritual growth |
| Character/leadership Qualities | Guidance and Direction |
| Coaches can make it mandatory | Coaches must make it optional |
| Model + inform | Model + inform + convert |
What is a Character Coach?
- A Character Coach is an extension of the Michigan Fellowship of Christian Athletes Campus Ministry.
- A Character Coach can be an FCA volunteer or FCA staff member, and can serve any athletic team on campus. He or She will work with the coach to help define values and shape the culture of a team.
- They work in conjunction with the coach to schedule regular times to provide CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT discussion and can also provide a team devotional and/or Bible Study that has voluntary player attendance.
- A Character Coach can also interact with the team by being present at a percentage of practices and games and/or hosting a voluntary pre-game meeting or prayer with the team.
Who can Character Coach?
A wide variety of people can serve the people of sport as Character Coaches. One need not be a sport ministry professional to faithfully serve and to significantly impact the lives of coaches and athletes. Among those who could serve as in these roles are:
- Parents of players in youth sports (school based teams or club sports).
- Coaches of youth sports teams, school based teams or coaches at higher levels of sport.
- Community leaders with an interest in developing character.
- Athletic trainers or other support personnel with sports teams.
- Pastors or other ministry professionals.
- Church members who desire to make an impact by serving others.
How Do I Get Started?
FCA wants to provide teams with the best-trained, most effective Character Coaches that they can, so we have created a process:
- Completion of the on-line application process called the Ministry Leader Application.
- Initiation of a relationship with an FCA staff member in your area for further training, encouragement, facilitation and accountability.
- Communication with the FCA staff prior to the season for planning, prayer, resources, etc
- Communication with the FCA staff during the season for encouragement, problem solving and further direction.
- Communication at the end of the season for evaluation, reporting of results, etc.
Do you have any additional questions or want to connect with a local staff member about this opportunity? CLICK HERE to fill out our Character Coach Agreement Form, and we will respond shortly!
Example of Team Huddle & Character Coach
FCA Character Coach Responsibilities
- Pray for your coaches and players on a regular basis.
- Schedule the best time and location of an FCA Chapel with the Head Coach.
- Connect and communicate with your Head Coach on a weekly basis.
- Recruit and schedule speakers for weekly FCA Chapels who understand the following guidelines:
- Be Bible Based/Christ Centered
- Be Focused
- Be Simple
- Be Brief
- Be Positive
- Be Flexible
- Be Personal/Real/Transparent
- Be Teachable
- Be Teachable
- Be present at each team chapel to introduce the speaker.
- Communicate with the local FCA Staff at least 1-2 times/month (phone, email, text).
- Visit with the Head Coach at the end of the season for an evaluation of the FCA Chapels.
Character Coach Essentials Agreement
All prospective Character Coaches must have a signed agreement on file with Manatee County Florida FCA indicating that you agree to adhere to all statements included within the agreement.