How do you know when you're ready to coach?

P

perlstein

New Member
#1
#1
I've felt really good about my improv lately. When I go to indie shows I can dissect scenes and feel like I have an understanding of why and when things go wrong.

I've been thinking I want to coach. I think I could be pretty good at it, and I think it might help my own improv.

How do I know if I'm ready to jump in and start coaching? I don't think I would, but I don't wanna damage a team of improvisors...
 
M

Mr. Stampede

www.jillbernard.com
#2
#2
Ask a team you know if they'll let you coach them for free for one session to see if you like it and they like it.

It's one of those things you never know if you're ready for until you do it.
 
mike short

mike short

Smart dog!
#4
#4
Might as well just jump in. No one enters into coaching as a fully formed quality director. I know now wasn't really ready to start coaching yet when I did a few years ago. But those early experiences taught me a lot. And I'm still learning too.

In addition to knowing why and where things go wrong, do you also know why and where they go right? You're allowed to say positive things to performers too, you know.

Might I recommend a really useful book? It's called Directing Improv and you can order it here: http://www.yesand.com/publishing/
 
M

Mr. Stampede

www.jillbernard.com
#6
#6
Also, you don't need to be more experienced than the people you're coaching. You don't need to be a guru, you can just be the one at the front of the canoe with a flashlight.

In terms of "breaking people" - I remember early in my teaching career I gave a note too carelessly and sharply and I watched the light go out in a student's eyes and their will to learn about improv die. I am glad that happened if only so I knew it firsthand and would strive evermore to give notes thoughtfully and compassionately.
 
P

perlstein

New Member
#7
#7
mike short said:
In addition to knowing why and where things go wrong, do you also know why and where they go right? You're allowed to say positive things to performers too, you know.

Might I recommend a really useful book? It's called Directing Improv and you can order it here: http://www.yesand.com/publishing/
Click to expand...
Good point. I guess I was just thinking a lot of coaching seems to be course correcting and understanding mistakes. That's something that's overlooked a lot when I'm coached I think is the, "hey do you know how you got to this good place?"

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check it out. I'm always looking for good improv books.
 
P

perlstein

New Member
#8
#8
Mr. Stampede said:
Also, you don't need to be more experienced than the people you're coaching. You don't need to be a guru, you can just be the one at the front of the canoe with a flashlight.
Click to expand...
That speaks to exactly I was asking. Thank you. I don't feel like a guru. I feel fully competent. I feel like I could help. And I feel like I could learn from helping.
 
M

Mr. Stampede

www.jillbernard.com
#9
#9
One thing not to skip is making the team articulate in front of each other what the team is, what they want to be, what their strengths are.
 
P

perlstein

New Member
#10
#10
Mr. Stampede said:
One thing not to skip is making the team articulate in front of each other what the team is, what they want to be, what their strengths are.
Click to expand...
I like that a lot. I feel like I've been coached too many times where the coach really tries to make myself and the team play their style of improv. It's always frustrating and it seems to set the group up for a bit a failure.
 
M

Mr. Stampede

www.jillbernard.com
#11
#11
perlstein said:
I like that a lot. I feel like I've been coached too many times where the coach really tries to make myself and the team play their style of improv. It's always frustrating and it seems to set the group up for a bit a failure.
Click to expand...
It's interesting, it depends on how you define "coach" "director" and "teacher." To my mind, a teacher gives you all the skills you may need and helps you overcome obstacles. A director has an end in mind and gives you direction to fulfill their vision. In an improv context, a coach turns a team into what the team would like to be; and pushes them to overcome their weaknesses and maximize their strengths. Other people might define those roles differently.

A few years ago I was working with a team for a whole weekend - and when they performed at the showcase at the end, I saw my mistake. They were six individuals performing together. They had no identity or shared goals. I pledged not to make that mistake again, to make teams talk to each other about Who They Are and What They Are Doing.
 
J

jorbing0s

New Member
#13
#13
perlstein said:
I've felt really good about my improv lately. When I go to indie shows I can dissect scenes and feel like I have an understanding of why and when things go wrong.

I've been thinking I want to coach. I think I could be pretty good at it, and I think it might help my own improv.

How do I know if I'm ready to jump in and start coaching? I don't think I would, but I don't wanna damage a team of improvisors...
Click to expand...

I found and interesting article that I guess will help you about you wanted to be.

Few guidelines that might answer some of your questions.

http://www.estherderby.com/2011/02/are-you-ready-to-coach.html

Hope that helps a little


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mike short

mike short

Smart dog!
#14
#14
I imagine that bbroad's comment to followed by fist pumping, an American flag waving, and the Notre Dame fight song.
 
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