1 0 T H I N G S C O A C H E S C A N D O T O

C R E A T E A P O S I T I V E Y O U T H

S P O R T S E X P E R I E N C E

J O E L I O T I N E

I T N O T A L W A Y S A B O U T B E I N G T H E B E S T O U T O N T H E

F I E L D . S E T P E R S O N A L G O A L S F O R K I D S A N D H E L P

T H E M C E L E B R A T E W H E N T H E Y A C C O M P L I S H

S O M E T H I N G T H E Y N E V E R C O U L D O F D O N E B E F O R E

Y O U H E L P E D .

1. Redefine success.

I T H E L P S T O H A V E P L A Y E D T H E S P O R T , B U T

C O N S I D E R S T U D Y I N G T H E S P O R T A N D A S K I N G O T H E R

C O A C H E S F O R T I P S .

2. Be knowledgeable about the sport you are

coaching.

T H E R E I S A H U G E D I F F E R E N C E B E T W E E N 5 Y E A R S

O L D S A N D 8 Y E A R O L D S , T H A T 3 Y E A R S M A K E A H U G E

D I F F E R E N C E D E V E L O P M E N T A L L Y . D O N ’ T T R E A T

E V E R Y A G E G R O U P T H E S A M E .

3. Be knowledgeable about the age group you are

coaching.

C O O R D I N A T I O N A N D O T H E R S P O R T S A R E A S M I G H T

N O T B E F U L L Y D E V E L O P E D . M A K E S U R E T O M A K E

E X C E P T I O N S F O R T H E A G E G R O U P .

4. Understand the unique developmental skill

patterns of that age group and make adjustments

for that skill level

T H I S I S N ’ T T H E P R O S , N O T E V E R Y K I D I S G O I N G T O

B E T H E R E D E V E L O P M E N T A L L Y A T T H E S A M E P A C E .

H E L P T H E M L E A R N A N D G R O W .

5. Remember that the inability to perform a certain

skill may just be a lack of developmental timing,

rather than a true lack of ability.

S P O R T S A R E L A R G E R T H E N J U S T A S E T O F

P H Y S I C A L S S K I L L S . R E M E M B E R T O T E A C H T H E M

A B O U T W I N I N G A N D L O S I N G , P E R S E V E R A N C E , A N D

W O R K I N G T O R E A C H G O A L S .

6. Reinforce and refine the skills that are achieved

without pushing too quickly for other skills.

S E T S M A L L A N D M O R E E A S I L Y R E A C H A B L E G O A L S T O

H E L P G I V E T H E K I D S P O S I T I V E A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S .

7. Give kids small tasks to learn to increase

chances for accomplishment

T H I S I S N ’ T T H E P R O S , C O L L E G E , O R E V E N H I G H

S C H O O L S P O R T S . T H E S E K I D S A R E N O T H E R E T O B E

Y E L L E D A T A N D M O T I V A T E D . B E G E N T L E A N D H E L P

T H E M .

8. Be enthusiastic and genuine.

M A K E Y O U R P R A C T I C E S P L A C E S W H E R E K I D S A R E

C O M F O R T A B L E S C R E W I N G U P S O T H E Y C A N L E A R N

N E W S K I L L S .

9. Make kids feel comfortable so they are not afraid

to try new skills.

E V E N K I D S W H O A R E L E S S T A L E N T E D S H O U L D G E T

O P P O R T U N I T I E S T O P L A Y S O T H E Y C A N D E V E L O P .

I T ’ S N O T T H E P R O S .

10. Let everyone play and substitute players

frequently.