ABSTRACT

This chapter is organized using the 'how to grow successful female assistant coaches' plant metaphor of core, seed, weeds, and roots. It explains how the gender influences assistant coaches with the self-efficacy and the intentions. As Forood stated, 'The assistant coach always walks that fine line between the team and the head coach. Therefore, it is imperative that the assistant coach relate strongly to both sides. Kilty's research from a conference coordinated by the US Olympic Committee Department of Coaching and Sport Sciences and the NCAA focused on women in coaching, particularly promoting qualified assistant women coaches. While both male and female coaches noted coaching interferes with personal and family time, Kilty's research revealed women coaches specifically mentioned the impact of deciding to have a family. The berge reveals that the women coaches are aware of the heightened visibility and the attached pressure to perform, which can continue to create isolation and the stereotypes.