As important as understanding the specific skill progressions, lead-up drills, strategies, rules and regulations of the sport is the philosophical approach the coach brings to the field. Sport knowledge alone does not make a coach successful.
Coaches need to start by reflecting on several key questions including:
• What lessons do you want the kids to learn through their experience on the team?
• What are the values that are important to teach young people through sports?
• How can these values be reinforced and modeled every day on the field?
• Is the focus on developing skills, winning games, developing young people, or a combination?
• How does personality affect coaching philosophy?
Successful coaching is so much more than learning the complexities of the game. Successful coaches impact and change kid's lives for the better. Making a life changing impact on a child takes an investment of time and energy from the coach, but the outcome is well worth the investment.
Mentoring Young Athletes
It’s easy to show up to a practice or game, hit some balls, and leave after several hours. The challenge comes with taking the time to invest in getting to know each child on the team. The outgoing and talented kids are the easy ones to get to know.
The hard part is investing time into the kids that are not the most talented, not the most outgoing, or perhaps the ones that are not even comfortable enough to look in your eyes when you are speaking to them.
Perhaps the kids that need the most attention are the ones that are not seeking it. Coaching is the perfect avenue for mentoring children who might not otherwise have strong and steady role models at home.
Building a Rapport with Young Athletes
Breaking down the barriers of a child with low self-esteem is not an easy task. This takes time and patience. Building a rapport is a slow and steady process, but it can be accomplished with a gentle, persistent approach.
Daily intentional interaction with each player is a key component to establishing rapport. This is easily done with the outgoing, self-confident kids. The ones who are fearful or withdrawn will take more work and more time.
Another key component when communicating with kids is to be physically at the same level and establish eye contact when trying to communicate. Adults can be seen as intimidating because of height and size differences. Taking a knee can bring the adult to an even level with a child. This step alone can eliminate fear and make a child more comfortable.
Pay Attention to the Marginalized
Investing in lives is a risk. Getting to personally know a child and his/her family may uncover details that are painful and that need to be further addressed by professionals. The choice to get involved may not always be an easy one, but it can be a life changing one.
The confident kids are well on their way. Pay attention to the marginalized because they are the ones who need your attention the most. For a child who may not feel valued at home, who may feel marginalized or ostracized by his/her peers, how much of a difference could you make in a child’s life who feels valued for the first time by you?
