After a week of absence we are going back to our discussion about necessary things junior/youth coach should have. Last three aspects can...
After a week of absence we are going back to our discussion about necessary things junior/youth coach should have. Last three aspects can all come as one, but I have mentioned them separately. I will treat them in this article like one because I think they are products of same aspect seen from different points.
PARENT, BROTHER, BEST FRIEND
– We all know that in any sport, kids spend a lot of time at practices. When I have played handball my practice schedule was brutal! We practiced every day, from Monday to Friday, and played games during weekend. In football this is not the case but it is true that players at all levels spend a lot of their time at practices. Time spent on the field is time away from home and family. For that reason coach has to take responsibility of a parent-brother-best friend.
Kids will often come to the coach asking for some advice or with a problem that needs to be taken care of. Some of the coaches I met during the years lacked this humanly side of coaching, they didn`t want to get involved in personal things of their players.
It`s easy to come to practice, do your on field part, and then walk away. Kids demand respect. If you treat them whit respect and develop respected relationship with them, they will do everything you ask them for. Those teenagers, no matter how we see them, know very well who cares for them and who doesn`t. In that age kids often have problems on and off the field and are usually looking for someone that they can talk to.
In this turbulent and fast times parents do not have time for their children, they don`t listen to them and they do not see troubled young man. You as a coach can see that way better than the parent. And you have to act immediately. The approach you choose can be parental, brotherly and friendly, it all depends on level of respect you have with your players. This is taking care of your players.
You cannot imagine how only one sincerely conversation with the kid can turn around his life and develop trust. Talk to your players. Ask them do they have any problems. Point out that you are here for them and that they can come to talk to you always. Treat them with discretion, be honest and they will know to appreciate that.
Do not be afraid of this part of coaching. We all can be great sport teachers, tacticians and all those things, but the main aspect that makes difference is this humanly side! In my humble opinion, coach is not just a person who teaches young people how to play a certain sport, coach teaches them how to be better people.
I will conclude this series of texts with this:
COACH YOUR PLAYERS THE BEST WAY YOU CAN. MAKE THEM BEST FOOTBALL PLAYERS THEY CAN BE, BUT MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO TEACH THEM LIFE AND HOW TO BE BETTER PEOPLE.THAT IS YOUR JOB AS A COACH!!!
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Take care.
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