TIPS
Top Ten Tips for Coaching Kids in Sports
By Rick Wolff
Although there are lots of wonderful coaches involved in
working with our kids today, the sad truth is, there are too many coaches who
just don't have the right perspective on how to work with youngsters.
Along those lines, based upon my writings from COACHING KIDS
FOR DUMMIES (IDG Books, $19.95), here's a quick checklist of what every coach
should always keep in mind when coaching young athletes:
10 As the head coach, always be in command!
That is,
always present yourself as the authority figure of the team - the man or woman
who has the last word. Sometimes, a coach will try and act like he or she is
"one of the players" or "one of the players' peers or best
friend." This is not very effective. Yes, you can reach out to the kids and
let them know you're there for them - but it's very difficult to be "one of
the guys" and then have to turn around and discipline one of them. In
short, be the teacher of the team - not one of the players.
9 Always remember that fun is definitely part of each
game and practice! If you run your team into ground during grueling practice
sessions and never let them have a chance to smile, relax, or blow off some
steam, you'll soon discover that you have transformed "play" into
"work" for your players. And work without any play soon becomes pure
drudgery. Coach, let the kids get their work done on the field and then let them
have some time to goof off a bit in practice. Come game time, you'll find that
they will be more focused.
8 Let the kids choose their own captains! Coach, it's
THEIR team, not yours. Trust the athletes to choose those individuals who they
want to lead their team. Many times, the coach will handpick whom he or she
wants. Stay away from that. Besides, whom you want may differ entirely from how
the kids see it. The kid you want as team captain may actually be viewed by his
peers as the ultimate Eddie Haskell type. Bottom line? You might be fooled, but
the kids won't be!
7 Motivate your Kids By Walking Around! A simply
carryover from the world of business where Management By Walking Around is well
known. You can work wonders for every kid on your team IF, during each practice
session, you walk around to each athlete, address him or her by their first
name, and say something positive to them with a smile. All athletes want to know
that the coach knows them and praises them. It sounds simple, but it works
wonders.
6 If a kid comes to you to talk, let him or her do the
talking! Remember, any athlete who has the guts to come to you and talk about a
concern of theirs, give them at least 5 or 10 minutes to say what they want to
say before you say anything. Let them have a chance to get their feelings off
their chest. And when you do respond, watch your words carefully. Remember that
the kid is waiting on your every word. Be sensitive to what kind of impact your
words will have.
5 The same rules applies to parents when they come talk
to you! If a Mom or Dad is so moved to want to chat with you about their kid,
give them the same kind of opportunity that you gave their son or daughter. And
LISTEN to what the parent is saying! Sometimes, Coach, you might be wrong - and
the parent is right. But again, be sensitive. Just imagine if the tables were
turned and it was you, as a parent, talking about your kid.
4 Be careful when you cut a kid from a team! When you
have to trim the team roster and get down to the last few cuts, ALWAYS make it a
practice to tell each kid who is getting cut why they aren't making the squad.
Give them a solid reason. Don't lie to them! And give them some hope or positive
message about their efforts or ability so that they can walk away with some
self-confidence and respect.
3 Teach - and enforce - sportsmanship.
Assume that the
kids on your team do not know or understand what this concept means. As such,
take the time to teach them what you expect them to do - or not do - whenever
there are victories or setbacks on the field. Make it clear as to how you want
them to behave - and let them know what kind of punishments there will be if
they don't get along with your rules.
2 Have the courage to enforce your team rules! All
coaches have certain rules and expectations that the kids on the team will
follow those rules. Have the guts to enforce your rules if they're broken by a
player. Yes, there may be times where it's a tough call, but ultimately, as the
coach, you have to do the right thing. That's your job.
1 Be sensitive to playing time! Perhaps the biggest
issues for all parents, always bear in mind that everybody on the team wants to
play in the game. And you, as the coach, can make that happen - or not happen.
Do your very best every game to make certain every kid gets in the game and gets
a bit sweaty and dirty. That's what it's all about. For the kids and their
parents, that's even more important than who wins or loses in the game.
