This article suggests that a player’s ability should be measured in terms of performance and not necessarily in terms of wins and losses. Coaches should also not instruct the players on every move otherwise they won’t learn... Read More

This article reflects on how the role of coaches are changing nowadays. They not only need to possess technical skills but also soft skills such as inter and intra-personal skills... Read More

Tackles the issue of over-coaching. Who does it, associated problems and how to avoid it... Read More

A coach giving a recount of his assistant swimming coach, Justin on how to be a good youth coach... Read More

The speaker emphasises that youth sports can be treated as a form of development by integrating health and wellness into the training programme. Parents can let kids learn nutritional information without lecturing them. Lastly, she also talks about “soccer for success” and how they make the environment fun and safe for youth athletes... Read More

Three coaches sharing about why they love coaching children. and how they feel children can benefit from the sports experience... Read More

A study on "retaining experienced coaches" that provides useful information and tips on how to prevent coach burnout... Read More

Qualities that parents look out for in a good youth sports coach... Read More

Views that playing experience is only a small role in coaching. It only contributes to technical, tactical and some organisational socialisation. However, coaching emcompasses a way broader scope. Research shows there are advantages for coaches who have not played at an elite level. For example, those without elite playing backgrounds are generally able to start coaching and to develop their craft much earlier. In fact, they tend to have more extensive and varied experiences in all aspects of coaching work and the pathways of their sport... Read More

Adults like parents and coaches are inculcating the idea of “winning at all cost”. Instead of making it an overly competitive environment, all kids should be given a chance to grow as ball players. Coaches themselves need to learn how to lose and not compromise a player’s growth over a winning . Learning to lose (for players) builds character and it gives the kids the chance to learn and take up the challenge together... Read More

The author elaborates on learning as a coach through:

1. Informal and formal learning - Formal through course and informal through things like social media 
2. Learn about yourself - Increase your own exposure and this will let you realise what you don’t know
3. Learn about your learners - Get to better know your learners at a personal level 
4. Learn about learning - everyone learns differently and we need to know how to cater to all differences 
5. Learn to reflect whilst living in the present - reflective practice

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Talk by Wade Gilbert on how to be a better coach. Bridges the gap between research and practice. Learning points include:

• "When one person coaches, 2 people learn” 
• Coach people first, sport second
• If you want people to do the “right” thing, you have to describe what “right” looks like
• Player centered coaching 
• Practice with purpose, variety, competition and game-speed
• Don’t prove your ability, improve your ability
• Reflective practice – requires noticing skills, things that matter 

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 Strategies for children’s coaches to help them engage more effectively with parents