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You Can Coach
Find the Time and Courage to Coach Youth Sports
By Kim Seidel
Because fun is the focus, there's no need to bog the young players down with the details of a game. Youth coaches simply need to know the bare bones of a sport, such as where first, second and third bases are located, says Bob Sanders, YMCA outreach director in La Crosse, Wis. The score isn't even kept during most games played by children at this age. The kids' eyes are kept away from the scoreboard, as they're busy learning fundamentals of the game and other life-building skills – including the Y's fore core values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility, as well as fitness, Sanders says.
Organizations like the YMCA provide lesson plans coaches can follow throughout the season, along with other resources to make their jobs easier. Children at this age have short attention spans. Keep them moving and active, using ideas from the coaching resources, as well as fellow coaches. When Rugroden notes his players' attention is waning, he calls on them to do sprints.
To build enthusiasm and motivation in his players, Rugroden breaks down the moves of a game into small segments, making mini-games out of it. Basketball players learn the skills of dribbling and passing during relays with their team members up and down the court.
Coaches of young children need to make sure everyone gets playing time, so they have fun and keep interested while building their basic skills as an individual. At this age, children also can vary greatly in their developmental levels. "The goal of the programs is for each child to be better than when he started it," Sanders says.
When you sign up your child to play a sport, express your interest in coaching the team. YMCAs, park and recreation departments, Boys and Girls Clubs and other community organizations depend on parents to volunteer coach to keep the programs thriving.
