Often the coach doesn't live in the same community or even the same country as the player. To many, this is seen as an advantage. It puts the coach well outside the system within which the player lives and works, and provides a sense of distance, objectivity and perspective. Designing the alliance The coach and player work together to design an alliance. They define structures that will support the player as he or she moves toward a goal.
Players have the most up to date and complete information about how they operate.
They know what structures or habits will encourage their movement. Only the player can take action. The alliance evolves as the player discovers more of what works best. The coach does not know. The player does.