Parents, Is your coach a good one?

While youth sports coaches come in all shapes and sizes, with different types of personalities. There are some things a parent should look for as signs of a high-quality youth sports coach.

 

Like a good teacher, the coach gets to know his players as individuals, is sensitive to their sport-related needs. A coach should understand what works and doesn’t work to motivate an individual player to do his or her best.  This helps them learn new skills. By being child- rather than adult-centered, he/she allows every player to express their individuality and realize their full potential.

An effective coach looks for team-building opportunities. He or she looks for chances to help their players bond as an effective and cohesive team by, for example, encouraging high fives, rally claps and encouraging support cheers. It is the little things that go such a long way to bring together a group.

Teaching and insisting on respectful behavior is also a mark of a valuable coach. He/she also should expect fairness, good sportsmanship and insist on proper sideline behavior by parents.

A first-rate coach sets realistic, age appropriate expectations for athletes and can adjust his/her coaching style to fit the individual and team. He or she doesn’t unnecessarily intrude on the learning process during practices and games. He or she knows when to teach and emphasizes the positive.

Finally, the coach should demonstrate his/her commitment to the health and safety by becoming trained in safety (first aid/CPR/, injury prevention and treatment) and in the sport, he/she is coaching.

There are many characteristics of a great coach. Knowing your child’s needs and abilities and having open communication with the coach will create an excellent coach/player relationship to get the most out of a great coaching experience.