Youth coaches need to remember the big picture

Editor's note: Nancy Justis is a former competitive swimmer and college sports information director. She is a partner with Justis Creative Communications.

Across the country, there are thousands of opportunities for kids of all ages to participate in competitive sports, ranging from city recreation programs to elite and AAU teams.

Most of these programs are coached by volunteers. Many of these volunteers are moms and dads of kids on the teams.

As one of those former kid athletes and now a spectator watching my grandsons from the stands, I understand the pluses and minuses of the volunteer coach. There are coaches who seem to love what they are doing and do it the right way. There are others who struggle with the concept of coaching youth sports.

Volunteer or not, I think it is imperative the volunteer coach asks him or herself, 'Why do I want to coach? How should I coach? What is my motivation to coach?'

My biggest pet peeve with youth coaches is they stress winning over development. Winning is important for motivation and stick-to-itness, but learning fundamentals and life lessons is so much more important.

Positive Coaching Alliance, a national nonprofit that makes 'Better Athletes, Better People' through online and live courses, offers these tips for the parent-coach.

l Be clear on your own goals for coaching. Coaches of kids just starting to play a sport may have the simple goal of a season enjoyable enough that everyone returns for next season.

l Share your goals with your players and parents from the start. Have a preseason parent meeting or at the end of a practice to let them know why you are coaching.

l Invite parents to help, at practices and games.

l Welcome each player by name at every practice and game. They'll feel welcome and positive.

l Plan practices that keep kids active. They'll stay more focused. Avoid lines. Bring plenty of equipment so they aren't standing around. Repeat drills for practice.

l Face the sun, take a knee and be brief. Get onto their level physically so you can see eye-to-eye. Shorter discussions aids in attention spans than fewer longer discussions.

l Pick one-to-two areas of focus per practice/game. Simpler is better for focus.

l Create a team cheer and cheer often. Kids love having adults be silly with them.

l End practice/competition on a positive note.

l Don't forget it can be hard. You go in with high expectations, but don't have control over the outcome. Share your challenges with coaches who have been doing it longer.

Volunteering can change your life. I read a blog recently by Kate Leavell and I thought she was right on.

'Coaching youth sports is less about the sport and more about the development of people,' she wrote. 'You're leading kids with no life experience down a road that will teach them how to navigate their future in an environment filled with fun and competition. You can learn the skills and the breakdowns of your sport in the myriad educational sources out there — what you really need to coach is heart.

'It may be stressful, take up a lot of your time and you may feel overwhelmed, but at the end of the season you'll never be the same, you will be (a) better, more enlightened and more passionate human. Because once you are called coach it won't last for just a season. Once you are called coach you are one for life.'

Finally, 'Changing the Game Project' notes coaches are accountable to athletes in the following ways:

l Treat them with respect and encourage them as they learn.

l Be a positive role model.

l Be a clear, consistent communicator and listener.

l Make it safe to fail and learn.

I could go on and on about what makes a good or bad youth sports coach, but this is a start. Remember, it's all for the kids.

• Let us know what you think. Send comments to njustis@cfu.net