What makes a good coach?

Editor's note: Nancy Justis, a former competitive swimmer, is a partner with Justis Creative Communications.

By Nancy Justis, correspondent

Think back to those days when you were playing flag football, AAU basketball and were traveling with your 16U soccer team or participating at any other level of sports on your way to adulthood.

Which coach do you remember the most and why? Was he/she understanding of your skill level, a screamer or a teacher in the best sense of the word? Which coach provided you encouragement to make you better than you ever thought you could be?

Individuals respond differently to different personalities. Some athletes need a more forceful approach from their coaches, others respond better to more positive reinforcements.

But what traits do all 'good” coaches have in common?

'I think it's awesome when a coach is positive and can bring a team together,” said UNI freshman Kelsey Hansen, a member of the Panthers' women's soccer team who grew up playing a variety of spots. 'I also think it's admirable when coaches care about more than just the sport. I had an amazing coach who was always checking in on every player to see how their family was doing, how their grades were, etc.

'Some other qualities that I liked in previous coaches that I've had include dedication to the team, always prepared for practices and games, and positive motivation.”

Global Sports Development professes to letting youth coaches off the hook - 'for winning, that is. The one aspect of youth sports over which you have the least control ... it also happens to be the least important part of coaching youth.”

It mentions a study conducted by Michigan State University which found that 90 percent of children said they would prefer to get playing time on a losing team than sit the bench on a winning team.

So what is a successful coach if winning is not the most important thing? Global Sports gives five behaviors of a good coach.

- Puts health and safety first above all else. 'Get trained in CPR and first-aid. Learn about injury prevention ... and remind athletes of proper nutrition and hydration”, among other tips.

- Models good sportsmanship. 'Encourage athletes to play fair ... Engage in respectful discussions with officials when you disagree with their call.”

- Holds parents accountable for their behavior. 'Make clear your expectations that parents will not belittle athletes or officials ... Remind parents that you are the coach, invite them to discuss matters with you privately ... Try to host a preseason meeting with the parents and youth, where you communicate your coaching philosophy ... Consider having parents sign a ‘Parent Conduct Agreement.'”

- Teaches the fundamentals of the game. Explain the rules of the game. 'No matter what sport you're coaching, a simple online search for tips on how to teach certain skills will bring up many helpful websites designed to enhance your coaching ability.”

- Encourages the team to have fun. 'Congratulate their successes. Treat all athletes equally ... Try to go into the practice with a fresh mind-set ... Remind your team the fun parts of sports (bonding with teammates, learning new skills, exercising, etc.) are the key elements of sport. The key goal of playing is not just to win, but especially to grow as an athlete and person.”

Hansen said she has considered quitting a sport in the past because of a coach.

'I think a coach has the ability to make or break a sport for athletes,” she said. 'I've had to deal with coaches where constant negativity was present all of the time. Also, I believe that if the coach doesn't make the atmosphere of practice and games enjoyable, then who would want to come?”

The Aspen Institute's Project Play reports one study found 'that when coaches received training in skills and communicating effectively with kids, only five percent of children chose not to play the sport again. With untrained coaches, the attrition rate was 26 percent (Smoil and Smith, 1992). Only 1 in 5 coaches of youth teams of children under age 14 say they have been trained in effective motivational technique, and just 1 in 3 in skills and tactics in the primary sport they coach, according to original data produced for the Aspen Institute's Sports & Society Program by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association through a survey of 43,000 households in 2013.”

There are many more traits of a good coach that haven't been mentioned. The important fact is children need more positive role models and mentors.

l Let us know what you think by contacting Justis at njustis@cfu.net