TPM 281: 33 for 33.

33 things that are valuable in youth sport after 33 years.

My coaching and teaching career started in 1991.  That’s 33 years ago.
The first experiences were with youth aged 6-13.  Sports coached and taught included soccer, volleyball, basketball, track and field and a host of movement games.    My coaching time has taken me through the age groups with both boys and girls, including AAU/pre-college basketball, hockey, soccer, volleyball, softball as well as baseball and strength/conditioning.  These experiences have included being a non-parent coach as well as a parent coach.  It also has included officiating and  board member in a local youth sports organization.

My experiences in youth sport in multiple roles has taught me a lot.  It has shaped how I think about our youth and reinforced the priority on physical activity and positive experiences through play. 

The 280 articles and counting in this newsletter come from those experiences and observations. The common threads across the age groups are significant. Many of the lessons come from “around” the games.

The demeanor and skillset of our youth over that time, how parents conduct themselves and expectations are all very, very different.

I strongly believe we can learn a lot from the experiences of others, so here are 33 observations and lessons on youth sport that are valuable, if not different over 33 years:

1.      There is no better feeling in the world when a young person smiles and thanks you for the fun they had during the time together. As a coach, no better feeling.  Knowing they had fun and are likely to participate again is an absolute spark.

2.      Coaching is teaching. Teaching is coaching. At its fundamental level, a coach has the responsibility of introducing and/or reinforcing the components of a game and skill so the participant can learn and develop competency and self-confidence.

3.      Parents want the best for their kids.   With all that comes out that is negative about parent involvement in recent years, intentions are most often good.

4.      Parents often let their viewpoint overshadow others.  As a young Physical Education teacher we were taught to work with kids of all ages and skill levels, across multiple activities and backgrounds. This principle meant adopting a 360-degree view. The teacher, the student, the parent, the administrator and family all have a perspective.  Adopting a perspective that considers and respects others seams to have been lost or forgotten over the years.

5.      Without volunteers there is no youth sport. Often overlooked is that most coaches and administrators put in countless hours for no financial compensation at all.  Does this excuse incompetency, nepotism, bad judgement, poor communication skills and lack of organization? No. But it does mean governing bodies need to provide structure for coaching and volunteer time to be beneficial beyond just meaning well.

6.      Parents were not visible 33 years ago, they were off in the background.  They channeled their support through their kids.  In today’s day and age, parents are much more front and center. Unfortunately, rarely when the experience is positive, and rarely in person. A big change.

7.      Most coaches will not ask for feedback from the families they serve.  Feedback and setting expectations are needed more than ever for young athletes snd families.

8.      Many youth sport organizations have lost focus on the main priority for their offering.  Defining that priority is critical and overlooked.

9.      The families who need the youth sport experience the most cannot afford to participate. An unfortunate consequence of escalating costs in today’s day and age.

10.  Many parents and coaches care more about the competition outcome than the kids. Outcome focused youth sport is ruining youth sport, especially when under 14 years old.

11.  Non coaches have no idea how much work goes into coaching youth sport.  In fact, most new coaches don’t realize how much time is required and all the responsibilities until they get involved.

12.  Many youth sport coaches are parents that step up to help with the very best of intentions + very low if any experience coaching.   See point 5 on guidance needed.

13.  Youth sport association board members are often eager parents who want to help but are prone to biased  decision making and more involved than they should be.

14.  A good coach makes the young athlete feel great about learning, trying and getting better.  They also promote lifelong participation in physical activity. Bad coaches have the opposite effect that does damage for a lifetime. A power dynamic that must be held accountable.

15.  To be a good coach, you must have a strong competence in the basic skills of the game and be able to communicate them.

16.  Communication skills are the most important skills a coach can have, the rest can be learned.

17.  Not enough is taught about the mental game, or physical preparation and recovery, especially in today’s climate of so much screen time.

18.   Successful coaching means considering the young athletes family situation into decisions and communication style.

19.  Encouraging young athletes to speak up respectfully and ask questions is not a priority in today’s coaching but needs to be.   

20.  Providing time for communication with parents is critical to a successful experience.  

21.  Most coaches don’t ask the kids what they like best about playing the sport of choice.  

22.  Our coaching effectiveness is measured by the number of smiles we get and body language of our athletes.

23.   It is not easy being the child of a parent coach. Most parent coaches don’t ask if they are ok with mom/dad coaching. They need to.

24.  There is no more powerful coaching tool than leading by example. Do you take care of yourself? Can you lead the drills properly? Do you speak to parents and umpires appropriately? Do you handle disappointment the way you want your kids and families to ? Are you organized? Do you treat your families and athletes the way you want to be treated? Can you handle conflict without losing your temper? Do you support your athletes in difficult situations?

25.  Kids today don’t have as many opportunities for free play as 33 years ago. That should be factored into the experience.

Bonus 8 BIG OBSERVATIONS:

• Modern day thinking has reduced the importance of teaching kids the right way, with high standards.  Not just in sports, but teaching right from wrong, communication, respect and responsibility. Self-esteem is at a low, as are communication skills and respect for other perspectives.  Spending time with kids with the only agenda but to help them find their way is an agenda worth prioritizing.

• Grassroots support for youth support coming from strong local economic engines is one way to reverse the trend of declining participation.  We are starting to see some of this with corporate sponsorship of different activities. It is intervention many will poo-poo, but with governments not supporting regular physical activity, we are left with little choice. 

• Entitlement is toxic and prevalent. Not just in sport but in society, it is messing with our next generations and yes, across youth sport.  Anti-Entitlement campaigns are needed to help everyone understand and overcome entitlement.  

• Health and safety in physical activity comes from physical literacy. This should be THE priority in youth sport today.  These are needs that were not the same 33 years ago.  In the past schools stepped up to provide this. No longer the case. It is a massive void.

• Coaching shortages are real. The workload for a youth sport coach has never been greater. Instead of supporting our programs with more qualified coaches, the reverse has happened.   

• There is no greater calling than providing leadership to our youth.   We live in a time where strong guidance is needed. Prioritizing action while educating ourselves on how to make an impact as never been more important.

• Here is a though, a tax break for those volunteering in youth sport with appropriate credentials.

• The lack of officials in our youth sport is a direct reflection on how those before them were treated. The word “extinction” comes to mind.

• If you get the opportunity to coach, jump in (ask your child first), be willing to learn and be humbled. Your contributions will be rewarded multifold, but it wont be easy.