WOMEN WANTED:
Making the Leap from the Stands to the Sidelines
&
Seven Steps to Get You Started
Women are the greatest untapped resource in youth sports. In eh countless hours I have spent at youth games, practices, and tournaments, I have always been puzzled by the absence of women coaches. The sidelines seem to be reserved exclusively for men, while women are relegated to bringing the snack, driving the carpool, and sitting in the stands rooting for their kids.
To me this is clearly one of the most backward traditions in sports today. There is no reason why a woman cannot coach as effectively as a man. This is especially true when you consider that the new generation of moms probably played as many organized sports when growing up as their male counterparts.
Even if you didn’t play sports at all as a child, you can still coach at the youth level. Do you really think all the men you see on the sidelines actually played or were any good? As a mom you have as much right to be coaching the kids as the dads. I’m not just talking about coaching girl’s sports, either. Women are as qualified to coach boys as girls. If you enjoy teaching, are halfway organized, and have passion and dedication, I guarantee you will be one of the most successful coaches in your child’s program.
Any woman or man can learn how to teach the basics of any sport. Just as we have allowed outdated tradition to ruin the experience of our children in organized sports, we have also failed to include woman as coaches. Of course this trespasses on one of the last of the male bastions, but to woman I say: We could use your help. If you want to make a difference in your children’s sports experience, do yourself a favor and bury this men-only tradition.
I always hear or read about how dads have such limited time available to dedicate to coaching youth sports. I should know because I’m a busy dad myself. But many men use their limited time as an excuse to skip over most of the important elements of teaching and devote their time instead just to the games. This results in many of the problems we witness in youth sports today. The world has changed, and so should youth sports. Man or woman, if you have the time, patience, passion, and ability to teach and can keep everything positive and in perspective, you should be coaching our kids today.
Seven Steps to Get You Started
Someone who has never played a particular sport of who has no knowledge of it can become a coach by taking the following steps:
- Study the basic history of the sport.
This is the logical starting point because a basic knowledge of the history will provide a perspective of what you are about to teach as well as some added confidence prior to getting started. A sport’s history offers information on how the game began and evolved over time, and the early stages best illustrate what the specific fundamentals of the game are and why they were developed.
- Learn and understand he basic terminology and rules of the game.
In order to maintain credibility with the kid, you must know and understand the terminology that is used. In basketball, for example, these would include fast break, outlet pass, setting a pick, zone defense, and man-to-man defense, to name just a few. Knowledge of the rules of the game is also vital. As a teacher you would be remiss if you did not explain the rules in their entirety.
- Find and explore the tools that will help you teach the fundamentals of every position.
There are many books and videos that attempt to describe how to teach game, however they are either incomplete in their approach or they fail often fail to explain how to teach the skills. Youth Evolution Sports.Com will provide you with this resource. Beginning this August 15th, we’ll have available downloadable flag football and soccer instructional manuals that are easy to use, demonstrate how to teach every position, and organize all instruction and practices. Basketball will be available October 15th, followed by baseball and lacrosse March 1st, 2008.
- Use the Fair Play structures detailed in my book. (If you would like to receive a copy of Fair Play – Making Organized Sports a Great Experience for Your Kids –email me at scott@youthevsports.com
There are many ways to obtain the knowledge to teach the fundamentals of any sport, but if you don’t present them in the proper stages, using a creative and enthusiastic approach, you will fall into the same negative patterns that currently plague youth sports.
Even when you are teaching a particular skill for the thirtieth time, it might be the first time that a player has had it explained to him properly. Your presentation of skills must always be exuberant and fresh. Remember, this is your chance to change youth sports for the better.
Use the Fair Play platform of nontraditional seasons of instruction and applied competitions in which everyone learns and plays equally. Not only will you be effecting positive change for children, but you will produce a larger group of eager athletes who are better prepared for the future.
- Attend clinics and workshops for coaches whenever available.
Most youth sports have national governing bodies that provide schedules of such
events. It’s important for you to continue to gather information and watch how others present and teach skills. Borrow from what other coaches have found helpful in teaching fundamentals. There are limitless ways to introduce and teach particular skills. Some are effective, and some are not. The only way to acquire additional knowledge and have the opportunity to ask questions is by attending these clinics and workshops.
- Watch a college team practice.
If you ever have the opportunity, visit a college campus and observe how college coaches and their staffs teach, especially in the preseason. It will be an invaluable experience. If a college campus and practice are not accessible attend a high school practice with a program and coach that have a good reputation.
Note how the specific fundamentals of each position are taught. Watch how the college coaches structure and organize their drills. Pay close attention to the pace of a practice session. Most college coaches will teach in a fast-paced environment in order to get as much out of a specific time period as possible. But you will also notice how the structure of the entire process allows for everyone to receive a full understanding and an opportunity to learn.
- Take a class in CPR and first aid.
It seems like a logical thing to do, but would you believe that many youth coaches don’t even have basic training in first aid? Do not overlook this important step. Remember, you are responsible for other people’s children when they are in your care.