It’s unfortunate that the youth coach position is seen as one that is less worthy than a high school or college coach, when the reality is that these coaches are the people who help shape tomorrow’s college and pro stars.
The youth coach position is not just a slot to be filled, it is an opportunity to impact young lives and for that reason, the job should not be taken lightly or filled with the first person who volunteers.
During 22 years of sports parenting, I saw my three children coached by a wide variety of adults, some making little impact, some making a negative impact and some making a lasting positive impact.
You, as parents, do not always have the opportunity to choose your child’s coach, but hopefully you do have the option of choosing your child’s team. As you look at the team, remember these reasons why the coach is so important:
Your child spends many hours with the coach.
Some seasons, it may seem like your child spends more time with the coach and team than he/she does at home. The adults that your child hangs around for any length of time will influence them. Don’t settle for influence that is not positive or empowering.
Kids listen to coaches.
Maybe it’s out of fear, the desire to please, or perhaps your child is simply fighting for a starting spot and wants to get the coach’s attention—but most kids hold coaches in high esteem, even if they don’t necessarily respect them. They will listen and do as he or she says because of the power a coach holds. What kind of adults do you allow to have power over your kids?
Coaches are role models.
Whether they like it or not, kids are watching and listening. If coach says it, it must be okay. If coach treats the refs like that or the other team like that, then I can too! Coach, you may not like it or want it, but you are a role model to the kids you are leading.
Coaches can fill a parenting hole.
Kids without one parent, kids with a parent who is negligent, kids with a parent who is gone a lot—coaches often become a sort of surrogate parent to these athletes. The love and support they provide stretches beyond the game.
Coaches have the power to shape lives.
The coaches that my kids still talk about are the ones who helped shape their lives. The rest? Well, they are forgotten in the memories of youth sports. Coaches, you have a golden opportunity to teach leadership, compassion, strength and courage. Don’t waste the time you have been given to shape tomorrow’s leaders and don’t ever minimize the impact you can have on a young athlete’s life.
Parents, as you lead your child on the youth sports journey, be on the lookout for youth sports coaches that will partner with you in raising your kids, not one who is just filling a spot that no one wanted.
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Originally published on CoachUp Nation
Photo—Brian Sawyer/Flickr