As a coach and parent I have been notorious for taking the "go get them" approach to sports at times. It can be hard especially when you coach them and you feel parents look at the coach as if "what are doing with my kid out there". But I really feel I learned some thing this past season of coaching soccer. And that is parents love to see you be there for the kids for learning the fun of the sport, learning to team play, build friendships and lastly, pointed out to that child on the field or after the game for what they did on a positive level. I coach my girls micro level soccer team and assist on my sons 11 under team and I can see when parents respect you more for the above mentioned.
A year ago I had the experience of having a fantastic baseball coach for my twin boys on a coach pitch level. He focused on skills, playing as a team, and then sitting with the kids after the game or practice and pointing out to each one of them on what they improved on that day (he had the team clap for each peer as he pointed out their improvement or positive change they made). he would have to remind them on occasion that they were there to play baseball and not play in the dirt (which would easily occur in a slow game) All of us parents learned so much from this coach that I am sure we adjusted our own parenting skills.
When kids get older and they are in junior or high school I am sure the rules will change then to be competitive but for now what I want to say is enjoy the fun of the sport and build strong egos and motivations, it will be hard to gain those opportunities back when you miss out on them today. OK I will get off the soapbox, as my parents would say.
Comments(3)