#coaching qualities

[ratemycoaches]

3 Important Tips for Coaching Youth or High School Sports

There are countless benefits for young athletes who participate in youth or high school sports. The activity involved in most sports gives them enough exercise to help them burn fat and stay healthy. It is also a good way for athletes to make new friends and to learn how to work well with others in group settings. If you are a coach, you have a pretty tough job. It is your responsibility to not only teach fundamentals of your chosen sport, but to also play a large role in helping to shape the character of those who are on your team. There are a few things you should know and keep in mind about coaching that will help you to be effective in carrying out your duties.

  One of the first things you need to do in order to be a successful youth or high school sports coach is to be an expert in the sport you are coaching. You need to know the rules and regulations of the sport as well as being an expert in the skills needed to play the sport. Your team members will be depending on you to help them learn proper techniques so that they are done right and can avoid injuring themselves or others. You cannot be an effective coach if you are not an expert in that which you are attempting to teach your kids.  (My definition of expert is to obtain the knowledge and experience required to teach proper techniques and fundamentals).

  Another critical tip for being a good youth or high school sports coach focuses on organization. You need to have a plan and to keep things orderly and organized if you plan on being a successful team. This means keeping practices organized and orderly. Young athletes need to have structure in order to thrive. This means that you have a full schedule of practice dates made up on a calendar to give to team members and their parents. It also means that you create structured practices so team members know what to expect each time they show up for practice.

  Finally, you need to be a youth or high school sports coach that is looking out for the best interest of each athlete on the team. You want to do your best to equip them with the skills they will need both on the rink/court/field and off the rink/court/field so that you can prepare them for their future. This will shape how they interact with authority figures outside of their parents for years to come.

  The Coach’s Corner

  Mario Sousa

[ratemycoaches]

5 Qualities of a Good Coach

We are proud to announce another guest blogger - Mario Sousa from the Coach's Corner. The Coach's Corner is a social networking website for all Youth & High School Sports. This is a free membership site to help all athletes, parents, coaches and organizational leaders involved in Youth & High School Sports worldwide.

  TheCoachsCorner.com provides a support community, where everyone can network, share, and find the information they need, when they need it. Link to old friends, colleagues and make new contacts in the Youth & High School Sports world.

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Coaching is demanding due to the time and effort required. Coaching requires many technical and personal skills in addition to a sound coaching philosophy.  It involves planning to win and learning from defeat.  As a coach, you have the responsibility of teaching the skills of the game but, more importantly, a good coach understands building relationships with each player as a person first, and as an athlete second.

  These responsibilities require that you assume various roles to effectively get the job done, both on and off the playing surface.  This is what makes coaching such a dynamic and challenging profession. Rewards include the development of athlete’s physical, mental, emotional, and social skills, and the opportunity of participating, having fun and learning to work together for a common goal.

  All good coaches have certain qualities that allow them to perform effectively. These qualities include dedication, enthusiasm, the ability to teach and lead, the ability to communicate effectively, good planning and organizational skills, and knowledge of the sport.

  Dedication

  Good coaches are dedicated to their coaching. The time involved in coaching can range from a minimum of 5 to more than 10 hours for each one-hour game played, and this does not include driving to the game and practices or any additional time spent coordinating with players, parents or the league.

  Enthusiasm

  The coach is a role model, he should realize the importance of this position and be aware of the effect that he has on the players, parents, officials, and the general community. That effect is positive when the coach adds enthusiasm and humor to the dedication.

  The ability to teach and lead

  A coach is a teacher and must have an understanding of basic learning principals and teaching techniques. If a coach perceives himself as an educator first and foremost, many positive things will occur for the players both on and off the playing surface. Coaches have a tremendous influence on young athletes. Players form attitudes and values based on the behaviors of the coach. A coach’s behavior will set an example for what is acceptable and unacceptable. Take those opportunities to teach and lead your players and foster a sense of respect, honesty and competition.

    The ability to communicate effectively

  For the coach to be an effective communicator, he must understand his players and be able to relate to them. Not understanding the player’s motives and real concerns is one of the major reasons for breakdown in the coach-player relationship. Effective communication between the coach and players is essential for a good relationship, and a player should feel that the coach is approachable.

  Good planning and organizational skills

  Just as each coach asks his players to be prepared, the coach should also be prepared through the execution of the proper planning and organizational skills.  If the coach is not very effective at either of these skills, make sure that an assistant coach is because it’s important. As the team progresses through the season, many events need to occur.  Coordination of tryouts, practices, games, tournaments and playoffs requires that the coach or assistant decide what needs to be done and why, how it should be done, who should do it, and when and where it will occur. A well organized coach gives the players and parents confidence and pride in the team.

  Knowledge of the sport

  The effective coach needs to understand what is involved in the sport they are coaching. This includes knowledge of the rules, specific sport strategies and the development of the players being coached. A thorough coach will continually read, observe and use any methods at his disposal to further his knowledge of the sport. Other good ideas include attending coaching clinics, watching coaching videos, taking coaching certifications and observing other coaches to learn and utilize applicable techniques and strategies.

  The Coach’s Corner

  Mario Sousa