Coaching youth sports

[TxArmyGuy]

I stay away from sports now...I grew up in a Compettive household and I do not have fun with sports unless it's involved getting someone to reach their max potential and playing at the highest levels

I would be alot like my dad which is why I'm staying away from that area. Not that I would yell at a kid but I would probably push them to hard heaven forbid I have kids some day and they convince me they want to be the best at sports.

I had a batting cage in my backyard my dad and I built together. From the age of 10 I was back there every afternoon swinging off a batting T with 1 arm at a time for 300 swings. after that it was another 3 hrs shooting hoops and working on free throws and jump shots as well as pickup games with adults down at the county park by the time Jr high came around I quit soccer for the junior high sports, football, basketball, and track...with baseball in the spring and winter I can't enjoy sports...Or perhaps I have kept myself away from them since I quit running in College perhaps someday I may enjoy them again


My hats off to those of you who can just simply enjoy them with your kids

 

[TxArmyGuy]

sad to say I spent more time during those years playing sports then I did working on my school work. hell combined with school practices I probably spent 7hrs a day practicing or playing something...though it was enjoyable at the time, I can only imagine the things I could have done for myself with cutting that in half

 

[Longhorn85]

Any other youth coaches here?

I've coached baseball, basketball and soccer over the years. You're right, it is very rewarding. Every time I coach I usually have good kids and appreciative parents, but beware, sooner or later you will run into that devil-parent who makes you wonder why you got involved.

It's definitely worth it though.

 

[trimtan1]

Cornholio,
So this apparently was a known issue for sometime then. Good to hear the child is no longer in that environment.

TxArmyguy,
I know exactly what you're saying. My dad was a Golden Gloves boxer in the military and very "sports oriented" in his younger days. I was basically taught to fight as a kid, even when most of the time, I wasn't "into it" or ready for that yet.

I also played high school ball and we won state 4A, going 27-1, and of course, the discipline has to be there too. But I wanted and enjoyed that. And there's no feeling to match that, and I want to give any part of that experience I can to my kids if that's what THEY truly want.

ttlpkg,
I hear ya about dealing with the parent side of coaching. And I think that was the only thing about taking on this responsibility that I was worried about. But, I have the luxury of coaching 5th/6th graders. It's a lot more about fundamentals and making sure everyone gets playing time. So I don't think I'll get cracked on for that. But at the 7th grade level and up, then it's all about winning, and not playing time. I don't want to deal with that.

And I've coached soccer at the younger ages. That was MOB BALL!!!!! LOL

 

[theoak01]

Im very competitive also because of how I was raised,I forget to have fun playing sports so I wouldnt ever coach sports for kids

But props to those who do

 

[The Ranger]

I coach, girls basketball, boys little league, tee-ball, and girls softball....I generally am very busy in the summertime with practices, games, working on the fields...etc.

As for the rewards, there is nothing like being in a store and a child come up and give you a hug refrering to you as *coach*

I want all the kids to have fun, but my number one goal in each sport is to install discpline in the children, to remember it is a team effort, and no one child is better than the other...VERY hard to do at times, but the smiles of victory, and the sportsmanship in defeat is well worth the final effort.

The hardest part of any little league coaching effort, whether girls or boys is dealing with PARENTS!!!

Parents can take away from the sport quite rapidly, and it never ceases to amaze me that a parent uses sports as a time for babysitting...drop the kid off, and come back 1/2 hour after practice is over....Most want you to pick up, and drop the child off for each practice....then come game time, they bitch and moan because little Sally/Bobby diodn't get to play enough....Makes me want to scream..." Try working with the child at home to help bring up ball handling skills...etc"

All in all, I do love working with the kids, alot of fun, and I personally feel like this after each year passes...

" 100 years from now, it will not matter how much money I have, what kind of car I drove, or the type house I lived in. The very thought that I made a positive impact on the life of a child will be the greatest reward any human could ever hope for. "

My sincere thanks to the other coaches, and the parents who take the time to help with the small things that mean so much...snacks, rides, help with uniforms...etc. It all starts with the parents....

Peace,

Ranger

 

[madbomber31]

dont just coach them... teach them.... and not just in the game of basketball. decision making and conflict resolution

 

[monkeybox14]

I just finished coaching my kids to a 6th grade undefeated championship season! Three of my five starters were selected for the traveling team. Very rewarding to see these kids get recognized! just my 2 cents

 

[trimtan1]

Excellent post RANGER! And you summed it up quite nicely. There's nothing like seeing a kid in the store and having them refer to you as "Coach".

And kids WANT and NEED regiment and structure. Whether they'll admit it to you or not. I allow a little "goof" time in practice for these girls at times, because they are and need to be "silly". And you don't want to take all of that away. BUT, I have rules, and those who don't follow or abuse them have to pay for it, and they know that up front.

You can have fun AND learn, and that's the formula that should always be used IMO.