When you are committed to coaching a youth sports team for the first time you might find yourself a bit overwhelmed. Not only are there all of those kiddos looking to you for guidance, there are also the parents you hope to please - or at a minimum, not enrage.Here are some tips for coaching youth sports . . .
Books : It doesn't matter if you've been playing soccer since you could walk. If you haven't ever coached kids' soccer, a book written by someone who has can be a lifesaver. It can give you ideas for drills, coaching techniques, game strategy, or just help your brainstorm on your own. Not to mention the added confidence it will bring.
Rules : Some youth sport leagues require that you give equal playing time to all children whereas others are more competitive with a focus on winning. This is often dependent on the age and level of the children and can change year to year, so be sure you know what is expected of you as the coach.
Practice Plan : Quite often with kid's sports, practice time is limited and it will seem like there is never enough time to do everything you need to prepare for game play. That said, there is nothing worse than a coach wasting precious practice time, scratching his or her head, and mumbling, "What should we do next?" Put together a quick list of what you plan to work on each practice so you use your time effectively.
Fun : This doesn't mean you take a break to play duck-duck-goose, but there are always things you can do to make practice more enjoyable. Create stations where they practice skills have them compete to see who can move through successfully the fastest. See which group of kids can get the most baskets, or goals, in a set amount of time. Play kids versus the coaches - they love that!
PositiveAttitude : Chances are you are going to have some athletic kids on your team, and some that are slightly less gifted in the physical arena. But all of them will appreciate being complemented. You can never say "good job" or "good try" too often. Even if you have some pointers, start off with, "I liked the way you hustled, but you might also want to try . . . ."
Target : Even at a young age, you will see kids who are very competitive and become frustrated with teammates who struggle a bit. Remind the kids that you are a team, working together. As their coach, it your job to step in if a child is criticizing or being unkind to a teammate.
Communication : Obviously you need to be clear with parents on the basics: practice time, game schedule, what they need to bring, etc. However it is also helpful to share your coaching philosophy and expectations. Will you be playing all kids at all positions? Is your priority to make it to the league playoffs, or to have a good time? Ask that they communicate with you as well if their child will miss a practice or game.
Coaching youth sports can be a rewarding experience you, and your child, will never forget. The more prepared you to take on the adventure - and it is always an adventure - the more fun you will have doing it!
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