The players and their parents have placed you in a position of leadership, and you have a

responsibility to give them your best effort. Additionally, this sport experience will play a

significant factor in determining whether the players continue participating in sports in

the future.

Coaching youth sports is a difficult job because parents expect professional results from

people who mostly are volunteers. High school, college, and pro coaches start as

assistants and work their way up through years of intense professional training.

If you follow the coaching guidelines and general principles below, the players and their

parents will be better served.

1.A coach should be enthusiastic without being intimidating. He or she should be

sensitive to the children's feelings and genuinely enjoy spending time with them. He or

she should be dedicated to serving children and understand that sports provides physical

and emotional growth for its participants.

2. A coach needs to realize that he or she is a teacher, not a drill sergeant. He or she

should help children learn and work to improve their skills. Personal gains are never a

consideration. The job does not depend on winning. The best interest of the child

transforms into the best interests of the game.

3. The safety and welfare of the children never can be compromised. A coach will

consider these factors above all others.

4. A coach needs a tremendous amount of patience. Don't push children beyond limits in

regards to practice. Children have many daily pressures and the sports experience should

not be one of them. Playing sports is supposed to be fun.

5. A coach should care more about the players as people than as athletes.

6. A coach should encourage his players to dream and set lofty goals. It is important to

remain positive and refrain from discouraging remarks. Negative comments are

remembered far more often than positive affirmations.

7. A coach needs to remember that the rules of the game are designed to protect the

participants, as well as to set a standard for competition. He or she never should

circumvent or rake advantage of the rules by teaching deliberate misconduct. A coach

who puts his or her opponents' team at risk should not be involved with children.

8. A coach should be the first person to demonstrate good sportsmanship. He or she

should take a low profile during the game and allow the kids to be the center of attention.

9. Parents and players place a lot of trust and confidence in the coach. The coach has an

important role in molding the athletic experience of the child.

10.A coach can measure success by the respect he gets from his or her players, regardless

of victories or defeats. Children who mature socially and physically while participating

in sports are the best indication of good coaching.

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