Perspective Youth Coaches

“Coaching youth sports is about teaching children competition, sportsmanship, education and discipline.”  (Holtzclaw)  This is how Charlie led off the Youth Coaches Banquet.  These are the fundamentals of coaching youth sports.  Most people who are not already involved in youth sports would think the fundamentals would be teaching the fundamentals of the sport.      

 
 

 

 “The job of a youth coach is to teach the children how to win and lose gracefully.” (Ware)  The children are naturally competitive with winning being their ultimate goal.  The problem with this is, when they don’t win they broken spirits.  One aspect of being the coach is teaching them how to accept losing when the outcome is evident.  Another very important aspect of coaching is teaching them how to win gracefully.  It’s natural for kids to win and gloat.  Coaching is teaching them how to enjoy winning while being respectful.  Coach Ware talked about his four principles of coaching which are, “commitment, compassion, perseverance and leadership" as very important keys to being a successful youth coach.    I share these beliefs, so if you are interested in coaching you may want to think about what it takes.  You will have to be committed; this was shared by all of the speakers.  Not committed to the sport but committed to the participants.  These days most of the players are coming from single parent homes which place the value of the coach very high in their eyes.  Most of their fatherly discipline will be taught on the athletic field.  “In my opinion, between 90% and 95% of the players are in need of a discipline structure in their life.” (Ware)  Over the several years that I have coached, I have had parents, guardians, and teachers tell me that a player on my team made great improvements in their attitudes, school and discipline during the season.   The reports are the player actions before and after the season is subpar compared to what they see during the season.

   

 

 

 

 

A perspective coach must have compassion not only for the sport but for teaching the youth also.  The coach must be able to express a caring feeling to the children.  “The children don’t care about how much you know, but they will know how much you care.” (Fisher)   The coach is tasked with showing the kindness to help the child understand the basics of the game but more importantly the coach shows each child how to work, understand and respect each other.

   

 

 

 

 

 

When a coach is dealing with a child that has a problem, the coaches much show perseverance.  You can’t start to help then just stop.  You have to stay on task, whether it is with the sport, school or social behavior.  One of the worst things you can do is to tell a child to do or not to do something then lack to help them stay on task with your instruction.  If you give up on them, they will give up on you and themselves.

The coach must show leadership.  This is a very important key to the success of the child on and off the field.  Most children strive to imitate the people they view as leaders in their life.  Show them how to be responsible.  Teach them how to achieve goals. One thing that will stick with them the rest of their lives is how you carry yourself and conduct business in front of them.  “The worst part about coaching is dealing with the parents.” (Hopper)  You will have unhappy parents confront you in front of the children.  How you handle the situation will burn into the mind of the children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Youth coaches play a bigger role in the lives of their players than most people could ever imagine.  Teach them sportsmanship and techniques are one thing but when you have coached for a while and come across some of your former players five or 10 years later……and the still address you as “Coach”, then you will realize that you have been an influence to the past their football lives.  As Ware says, “As a coach, you have to influence them beyond the game.” (Ware)  One thing to remember as a youth coach, you are not dealing with professionals who are required to win.  You are not dealing with college kids who are expected to win due to their scholarships.  You are dealing with children who wants to win, but winning is just a bi-product of what you do.  You will find that winning is not all that important to most of them.  They are looking for someone to give them some kind of structure.  In some cases, they are looking for a role model or disciplinarian.  Your greatest reward will not come from winning championships.  You will feel accomplished when that child runs to you with their report card, or when they thank you for helping them through a social situation.  Even when they are teenagers or young adults they thank you for things.  This is the reward for being a youth coach.

For more information you should research the website for Youth Football Coaches Association (YFBCA).   This association is a great resource for training, rules and regulations and other information.  You can also find leagues and organizations that operate in your area.  The website provides links to the Pop Warner and American Youth Football associations.  If you are interested in other sports you can go to the Amateur Athletics Union website (AAU).  For information in the Shelby area clink this link.  Doug Hull (Hull, Youth Football Coaches)

 

 

Works Cited

Fisher, David. "Recreation Programs Manager." Youth Coaches Banquet. Shelby, 2013.

Holtzclaw, Charlie. "Parks and Recreation Director." Youth Coaches Banquet. Shelby, n.d.

Hopper, Barry. Youth Football Coach of the Year Tony Whisnant. 25 03 2013.

Hull, Doug. Athletic Program Supervisor Tony Whisnant. 25 03 2013.

Hull, Doug. Youth Football Coaches Tony Whisnant. 25 03 2013.

Ware, Lance. "Shelby High Football Coach and Athletic Director." Youth Coaches Banquet. Shelby, 2013.