My kids participated in a recreational soccer league where the coaches were parent volunteers. I was amazed at how different each of my child’s experiences were based on their parent coach. My youngest son had a coach that missed half the games and seemed half involved. Needless to say, he was half interested in playing soccer (granted maybe soccer just wasn’t his thing). My daughters had better experiences with their volunteer parent coaches. Often recreational leagues are starving for help and are grateful for any willing volunteer.
What are some of the things that make an excellent parent coach?
- Be committed– If you are going to volunteer make sure that you are able to be at every game. It’s deflating for the youth and parents to show up on game day with kids aimlessly wandering around without a leader. It’s great that you are going to be there on game day, but also plan to at least have one practice during the week. Having a weekly practice will make for a more coherent experience on gameday and help the kids gain more out of their playing experience.
- Know the basics– It isn’t expected that you are going to be an expert on the sport or be able to teach every skill of the game, but you should be able to identify some key fundamentals to work on with your designated age group. There are tons of books or websites that can educate you on fundamentals of the sport you will be coaching. Know the rules of that sport and ensure that your youth have a basic understanding of the rule.
- Have Fun– Enjoy the time that you spend with the kids and the extra time you get to spend with your own. Use positive language that ensures that all the kids are building self-esteem. Incorporate fun games in practices and create a team environment. Laugh with the kids when the opportunities arise.
- Maintain Safety-It’s beneficial to be CPR/First Aid trained to ensure that you are prepared for any possible emergency situation. Arrive a few minutes before the kids so you can make sure the field is clear of any possible obstructions that could cause injury.
- Incorporate the Parents-Maintain communication with the other parents through an email list or group text. Keep parents informed of forms to complete, scheduling, snack sign-up, any help you may need, and to discuss the development of their youth.
- Forget about Wins/Losses- Having a win at all costs mentality will detract from the kids overall experience. If you are a parent volunteer than most likely its for a recreational sports league which is designed to give kids the opportunity to play and emphasizes having fun. If you take winning out of being a parent coach, it will help you to just focus on creating a positive experience for the kids.
As you consider volunteering for your child’s recreational sports team, remember that it will take some sacrifice on your part, but will be worth it for everyone involved. Utilizing some of these strategies will provide you with the confidence to not only just be a volunteer coach, but someone that will make a difference in the lives of youth.
photo credit: Jamie Smed <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/49182023@N05/38249676214″>IMG_1331.JPG</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>(license)</a>
