I know many coaches that see the success of other teams and immediately start the comparisons. What did that coach do but I didn’t? How can I do the same drills? How can I get the same level of player? Unfortunately, these are pitfalls for youth coaches that measure their value only by the result. The implication is that success can be repeated if you simply apply the same formula as if it is a recipe.
That thinking is an extension of the rampant commentary about professional sports. You can pick the team or sport, but at the highest levels of competition there are thousands of people who love to share their opinion about how their favorite team, “just needs” that last piece of the puzzle and they’ll have a chance.
Similarly, the US Olympic trials just finished and the level competition for each sport to select the best athletes in the country is just awesome. I can’t help but have tons of empathy for those who just missed the cut. I know each one of them has been committed and dedicated to their training for years. Yet, they will likely have to stay home and cheer, like most Americans.
Player Inspiration
On the other hand, while they didn’t make it this time, most will have other chances to compete. Some day, they will look back on the dedication and time spent training and ask, “Was it all worth it?”
I like to think that answer is a resounding “YES” because I assume any athlete is really only competing at that level when they love the sport. While the most talented and dedicated athletes will earn the most awards and attract the most attention, as they rightly should. I also believe you can’t achieve that level of success unless you love the sport.
That love of the game is something any athlete at any level can relate to. Many of us had moments watching the best professional or olympian perform at such a high level we were inspired.
I can remember being inspired by basketball players at all levels. I remember telling myself two thing as I watched, “That looks like fun!” and “I think I can do that someday!” Those moments were inspiring because I just knew it was possible with enough work.
I have to admit that some of the things that inspired me, I was never able to reproduce. However, there were many skills I improved well enough to enjoy playing the game. In retrospect, the lessons I learned along the way have shaped me as an adult.
Although, I was never fixated on being a championship at any level, but I was focused on being the best player I could be. That commitment, effort and self determination taught me many life lessons much bigger than basketball. It taught me lessons through both success and failure that has given me what I think is the right balance of confidence and humility in everything I do.
Coaching Inspiration
I think many coaches initially start coaching youth sports because they believe, “I can take what I experienced as player, apply the parts I enjoyed, and subtract the parts I hated and players will have an even better experience than I had.”
This is the mindset of most first time coaches, until they start to get competitive or see kids get discouraged from embarrassing losses. They quickly realize the diverse player talent, difficult player personalities and demanding parents make this a much more difficult task.
Now, they are faced with talented kids who want to “be challenged” and the parents who want to win more games. On the other end of the spectrum are the players who just want “more playing time”.
Parental Inspiration – Keep Kids Involved
The most important thing for any coach to keep in their mind is the original purpose for youth sports. Any youth sports program exists to serve kids not coaches or parents. Their purpose is to create the best experience for every player, not just the most talented. The program does not exist to serve the coach, build a resume or land a new job. It exists to serve the kids.
Any youth sports program exists to serve kids not coaches or parents.
Clearly parents really want to see their kids play and have fun. They want to see their kids embrace something they love and get opportunities to succeed. Parents want to keep kids involved. Its usually not about the scholarship or fame.
Parents want to keep kids involved. Its usually not about the scholarship or fame.
In most cases, they will be there to support the player and the coach that provided the opportunity because the coach is showing trust in the player and the coach is honoring the trust the parent placed with the coach to treat their child fairly.
These days, parents’ have heard enough stories about kids who, for various reasons, really cannot fully participate in sports or other activities. However, for those kids that don’t have such limitations, parents want to keep their kids active because some day they may not be able to play due to age, health or some other unforeseen reason. I’m reminded of the adage, “Youth is wasted on the young.”
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