Who Can Coach?
Coaches come from all professions and from all walks of life. Although teams must have the support of the member school or organization, coaches do not have to be teachers. Frequently, a child’s involvement in the program will generate the interest of the parents. Oftentimes, parents will start the Odyssey of the Mind program in their child’s school and assume a coaching role as a way to get involved in their child’s education.
Role of the Coach
Coaches must prepare teams for three phases of competition: Long-Term, Style, and Spontaneous. Many teams will work on their own to develop their long-term problem solution but may need guidance in building creative-thinking skills or practicing solving spontaneous problems. Coaches must remember that Odyssey of the Mind is a “hands-on” activity for students and “handsoff ” for adults. It’s important that teams create their solutions without the help of others. There is value in letting teams succeed and fail on their own merits, especially when achievement is rated on effort, as much as on results. You, the coach, will offer guidance and encouragement, and teach team members how to explore possibilities, listen to others, learn from failures, and evaluate solutions effectively. However, you are not to give the team ideas or solve the problem for it. You will be amazed at what students can do on their own and in the end, you’ll be proud they did it themselves. And the students will amaze themselves and build self-esteem from knowing they did it on their own.
Coaches come from all professions and from all walks of life. Although teams must have the support of the member school or organization, coaches do not have to be teachers. Frequently, a child’s involvement in the program will generate the interest of the parents. Oftentimes, parents will start the Odyssey of the Mind program in their child’s school and assume a coaching role as a way to get involved in their child’s education.
Role of the Coach
Coaches must prepare teams for three phases of competition: Long-Term, Style, and Spontaneous. Many teams will work on their own to develop their long-term problem solution but may need guidance in building creative-thinking skills or practicing solving spontaneous problems. Coaches must remember that Odyssey of the Mind is a “hands-on” activity for students and “handsoff ” for adults. It’s important that teams create their solutions without the help of others. There is value in letting teams succeed and fail on their own merits, especially when achievement is rated on effort, as much as on results. You, the coach, will offer guidance and encouragement, and teach team members how to explore possibilities, listen to others, learn from failures, and evaluate solutions effectively. However, you are not to give the team ideas or solve the problem for it. You will be amazed at what students can do on their own and in the end, you’ll be proud they did it themselves. And the students will amaze themselves and build self-esteem from knowing they did it on their own.
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Need some help understanding or explaining OM? Try the Odyssey Academy videos!
https://www.odysseyofthemind.com/odyssey-academy/ |
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Recycle Brevard has a lot of materials to help you and your team create great costumes and props. They also offer items that can be used in Spontaneous. Check them out by clicking the picture.
Don't worry. Space Coast Regional Board is here to help you. We offer a Basic coaches training session as well as an Advanced session. We also offer a Spontaneous workshop for teams in the months before our Regional Competition. And your school contact is there to support you, too!
To ensure you are kept up to date on trainings, meetings and deadlines, please register as a coach at:
To ensure you are kept up to date on trainings, meetings and deadlines, please register as a coach at:
