The role of a youth coaches goes beyond just teaching a sport skill. As youth coaches interact with youth athletes frequently, they are granted the opportunity to positively influence and make a difference to the lives of these youth athletes. A youth coach should display leadership, strive to be a positive role model and be a lifelong learner who constantly seeks to improve as a coach.

As a youth coach, there are many teaching opportunities. An effective youth coach does not only teach the sport, he or she can also impart values which are more important in developing the youth as a person. For example, by exposing the youth athlete to good sportsmanship, the youth coach is imparting the value of respect which can be translated to the youth athlete’s everyday life. While every coach has a different take on how to be an effective youth coach, these are a few positive common teaching points amongst all good coaches.

What an ineffective youth coach looks like:

• Poor relationship with parents, youth athlete and other coaches,

• Imparting poor moral values on athlete like bad sportsmanship

• Youth dropping out from the sport

• Sports injuries

Tips on being an effective youth coach

• “Coach people first, sport second” – primary focus of a youth coach should be on teaching the youth how to be a better person throughadvocating sportsmanship, respect, etc. and his/her secondary focus should then be on teaching the youth the sport specific skill like a tennis serve, smash, etc. 

• “When one person coaches, two people learn” – Understand that every individual learns differently and there is more than one way which gets across to everyone. As a coach, we need to constantly learn what method works for who.

• Player centered coaching

• Try to build a positive team environment and make them more cohesive with greater teamwork. 
• Use games to allow the individuals to solve their own problems like getting them to do peer coaching and helping each other improve

• For trainings, it should not be them proving their ability but allowing them to improve their ability. This means encouraging mistakes to be made, allowing the youth to improve on their weaknesses instead of reprimanding them for committing a mistake.

• Be the youth athlete’s voice of encouragement. By doing so and instead of constantly correcting them, faith entrusted can help the athlete do better and be stronger.

• Demonstrate your commitment to the health, safety and development of the youth athlete by getting CPR, sports science and VPS certified.

• Set realistic, age appropriate expectations for the youth athlete

• Constantly trying to make trainings fun and understanding that fun takes priority over winning.

• Understand what good communication looks like and practice it with the athletes

• Refer to the “pyramid of teaching success in sport” by John Wooden

Reference

Brandon, J. (2017, March 06). Stephen Curry Just Got the Best Pep Talk Ever. Here's What You Can Learn From It. Retrieved July 23, 2017, from https://www.inc.com/john-brandon/how-this-2-minute-pep-talk-with-stephen-curry-is-a-sign-of-great-leadership.html

Gilbert, W. (2017, January 31). GAA National Games Development Conference 2017 - Wade Gilbert. Retrieved July 23, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtCVTWFiyPc 

Lench, B. D. (n.d.). Ten Signs of A Good Youth Sports Coach. Retrieved July 23, 2017, from http://www.momsteam.com/team-parents/coaching/general/ten-signs-of-a-good-youth-sports-coach?utm_content=buffer328e4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#ixzz4f5sOECzAhttp://buff.ly/2pSZANY

McQuade, S. (2016, November 7). Player centered vs. coach centered practice. Retrieved July 23, 2017, from https://web.usafootball.com/blogs/coaching-education/post/12552/player-centered-vs.-coach-centered-practice

Further readings 10 signs of a good sports youth coach Improving your own coaching through better learning How to coach better by Wade Gilbert (award winning professor in the area of coaching) Video on what makes a good coach

Recommended books on how to coach better

• “Brain rules” by John Medina

• “Coach better every season” by Wade Gilbert

• “Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the Business of Life. 15 Lessons in Leadership” by James Kerr