Little Libby Loggers

It can be intimidating to volunteer as a coach. Perhaps you never played the sport. Maybe you are worried you will make mistakes that are detrimental to the kids development. Perhaps you are worried about being in charge of other people’s children. These are the thoughts I had when I was considering to volunteer.

You Can Coach

First of all, remember they are just kids. Children don’t have years of experience playing the sport. They are going to have to learn new skills. They are going to be excited to be part of something. You can learn all you need to know to coach kids until the tween years by watching one game of a sport. It is that simple. Block off an hour of a day and watch the sport. Supplement that with the resources Little Libby Loggers will provide and you are good to go!

Mistakes are going to be made. We coaches are humans too. One of the great things about kids is that they are adaptable. All it takes to change a kids mind to try something new is “I know you have been asked to do it this way before, but let’s try this way now”.

Being a coach is all about having an open mind and being willing to try different things with different kids. As a coach your goal is to help the kid figure out how they accomplish the task. Reference material is a great tool to make sure you are asking them to do the right thing, and they will figure out how to do what you ask them too.

Being in charge of other people’s children is the scariest part of volunteering to me. I was absolutely wrong to be afraid of that aspect. Most kids are awesome. They want nothing more than to make you happy. Eh, they want a treat more, but making you happy is right up there.

It’s Not All Unicorns and Rainbows

There is at least one that is disruptive on ever team. From my experience they are acting out because they do not want to be there. Maybe a parent made the decision for them to play. Maybe they have an older sibling that plays. For what ever reason the kids spirit isn’t in the game.

I ask you to keep in mind there is nothing wrong with the problem child. Organized sports may not be one of their interest. They might aspire to be an artist like my brother. Reflect for a second, how do you feel when you get roped into something you don’t want to do?

How I have dealt with this on my teams is to focus my effort on the kids that give me effort. For example a child may prefer to pick dandelions rather than run down field. I would address them and ask if they want to participate. If they do not, then I let them go about their day picking flowers off the field. Forcing a kid to participate only gives them power to disrupt the rest of the team. Rather I focus on rewarding effort.

If a kid spent practice picking flowers, when it is game day they don’t get to start. If a child worked hard at practice then they get to be the first center. Do you want to be QB the first series? Earn it. You want to wear the cool catchers gear? Earn it.

With our support from Little Libby Loggers, I promise you, if you have the time you are qualified to coach.

You Should Coach

Coaching has proven to be a more rewarding experience than I expected. The thing that I find most amazing is how quickly the young athletes improve. From the first day of practice full of nervous energy and having trouble getting their muscles to coordinate. To the end of the season playing a game of catch.

Another benefit I have surprisingly enjoyed is the community network you play a role in developing. Through your athletics program parents get to meet and interact with other parents, players, and coaches.

A third benefit I have surprisingly enjoyed is the genuine appreciation that comes from the community. I have experienced more appreciation of my effort coaching 5 year old kids than any other volunteer work. Helping a friend move feels great. You know they appreciate it and they tell you. Parents somehow have a way of making you feel it.

This leads to the question, why aren’t you a coach? Let me know in the comments below.