It isn’t a rare case or an uncommon
problem these days. If you are a coach, or working with youth sports, every now
and then you come across a kid who has an attitude problem. There’ll be
battering, or throwing a tantrum and then the pout. As a coach you become
helpless because there are other children watching and learning. How should you
handle such a situation, by positively dealing with the child’s anger, or by
being upfront and benching the kid?
It is indeed a tough situation,
especially for a coach. To understand how to deal with such a situation, as a
responsible adult you need to understand what causes this behavior. Children
naturally react with anger when they feel incapable of something or powerless
in a situation. It can also be an outburst of the frustration from either being
lonely, isolated, embarrassed or scared. In any of the cases, the child is
perhaps going through something. Talking to the child can help. Politely explain
acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Also explain there shall be consequences
of unacceptable behavior. Teach the child positive ways of venting out; using
the energy to do something. If the child’s behavior does not improve, talk to
the parents. This will help you understand the child’s situation. You can work
with the parents to improve the child’s behavior.
In most cases you will see a change in
the child’s behavior. The child would start responding to the sensitivity and
positive changes in the environment. But in some cases, the child may continue
showing outrageous behavior in spite of the parents being informed. Either the
parents are not being able to control the child’s conduct, or they feel perhaps
it’s okay. But as the coach, who is responsible for the conduct of the whole
team, you know it’s not.
Here’s something coaches, parents and
players need to understand is that discipline is the most important aspect of
youth sports. Discipline is indispensable in a sports person. A child can have great
talent, but if the kid is not disciplined to go through the journey that is
required for an athlete, the kid can never be successful in sports, or other
aspects of life for that matter.
That said, if the child persistently
behaves outrageously, it may be possible that the kid needs professional help.
Talk to the parents and teachers to ensure the kid is given the required
counselling or program for the child. You might also have to counsel the
parents to take it seriously, a stich in time saves nine.
One of the most important things you do
as a youth sports coach is to help children become positively motivated,
disciplined and happy individuals. While it can be a very consuming process, it
can be very gratifying. Your endeavor can help a child have a happy childhood,
and as a result a happy adulthood.
Here’s to helping build a happy nation –
CHEERS everyone!
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