The one trait you should look for in a youth coach

These are all good traits for a coach, but I believe that there is one trait in particular that a topnotch youth sports coach should have. One trait that help ensures your child will have a positive and learning experience in sports.

When checking out teams or leagues, look for a coach who does not just develop skills, but develops individuals.

Last year, I attended a leadership conference called Advance One Day. One of the speakers discussed effective methods to develop people in the workplace using this philosophy. I’d like to apply the same principles to youth sports.

A youth sports coach who cares about developing individuals does so by:

• Teaching the why behind the what. When kids understand why [why they must do something a specific way on the field or court] it will help them learn to make better decisions and not have to be told every single move to make.
   
• Giving a clear target for players to aim for. Play for fun, but give the kids something to shoot for, such as, objectives that they can celebrate when achieved.
   
• Not overly punishing mistakes. Kids often learn enough from the natural consequences of mistakes they make in the game. I know that coaches often make kids run laps when they jump off-sides or have some other infraction. I suppose that philosophy has some merit with older players, but I also think it can be taken too far, especially with younger players.
   
• Help individuals on the team to function in their individual area of strength. A coach who can see individual strengths and help players develop these strengths is a gem indeed.
   
• Sharing experiences with the team. Coaches that take off the coaching hat and relate to the players outside the sport have an opportunity to share experiences with the team that has nothing to do with sports and leads to a stronger team bond. Does the team ever do something just to have fun together? Does the coach joke around with players outside of games and practices–or even inside of when it’s appropriate? Does the coach look for ways to relate to the players as kids and not as athletes?
   
• If you’ve found a good youth sports coach, thank him or her!

When looking for a team for your child, do your homework to find out what kind of person the coach is. I think parents often jump on board a team because it’s the team to join or because it’s the winning team. They pay little attention to the adult who will be spending hours with their child each week.

There are a lot of awesome youth sports coaches who are striving to develop the individual, and not just the skill. Don’t settle for less and if your child has one, be sure you say thanks!
 

Janis B. Meredith, sports mom and coach’s wife, writes a sports parenting blog called jbmthinks.com. Her new book 11 Habits for Happy and Positive Sports Parents is on Amazon.