Coaching young kids is a huge
responsibility. As a coach, you are not just responsible for nurturing young
talent in sports, but you are also helping the child become a person. All the
ethics, values, virtues and traits that go in today, will form the foundation
for tomorrow. Positive coaching and supportive mentoring help kids become
better individuals in school, in social circles and in life. Moreover, kids
only relate to positive coaching, it’s mostly the adults who are bothered about
wins and losses.
For coaches who understand and relate
to this, here are a few pointers that will help you become the kind of coach
that helps bring up smart, focused and disciplined individuals and not just
good players.
Praise
Praise kids for their tact when they
win. Praise kids for their talent when they achieve something. Praise kids for
their hard work when they lose. Praise kids for their endurance when they lose
repeatedly. Praise the kid for choosing to play and not sit in front of a
screen. Praise kids for their commitment to sports. Praise kids for not idling
their time. praise kids for being a part of the team. Taking up sports is a
brave choice in this age. There’s immense competition. There’s bullying. The
world of internet is so tempting. A child who chooses to stay away from all
this and take up sports, deserves praise.
Let kids learn
A good coach doesn’t point out mistakes
but motivates kids to learn from their mistakes. When something goes wrong in
the field, most often than not, kids realize their own mistake and are aware of
it. If an adult, be it coach or parent, confronts them about the mistake, the
child becomes defensive. But if the adult calmly interacts with the child, the
child would be willing to accept it and take the lesson from the mistake. A
good coach must motivate kids to see mistakes as an opportunity to learn.
Respect
A positive coach treats kids with
respect. Do not ridicule or put-down the child, even if the child commits a
mistake. A child scarred with verbal and emotional abuse or harassment is most
like to be scarred for life. the scar becomes a part of their personality,
affecting them in all walks of life.
Do not over expect
Most kids strive most of their
childhood trying to live up to the expectations of adults, their teachers,
parents, coaches. A good coach see the child’s capability realistically. A good
coach understands that not every child has the same skill set and not every
child needs to excel in the game. A good coach understands that not every child
playing with him is going to enroll for pro sports. A good coach understands
that most kids are playing because their parents enrolled them.
Make the game fun
Kids love to play because they have
fun. If the game is no more fun, kids lose interest and drop out from youth
sports. When asked, the number one reason for kids joining sports is ‘having
fun’, ‘winning’ is on their parents’ list. Take the team out for ice-cream.
Take them on a biking trip, a camping trip together. Play matches that are just
for fun and not a competition.
Be a role model
A good coach believes leading by
example and not just preaching. A good coach is a role model for sportsmanship
and team spirit. A good coach shows kids how to keep emotions in control, by
not being hyper either about losing or winning. A good coach stays calm. A good
coach doesn’t overreact and loose his cool, not to mistakes, not to losses not
to opponent team, not in the heat of the moment. A good coach’s positivity
inspires young athletes to become calm, composed, disciplined and focused.
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