What Is the Role of a Youth Sports Coach?

Our role as youth sports coaches is similar to that of a teacher. In fact, at 1st and Goals, we believe that coaches are, first and foremost, teachers. But with one difference. In a classroom, teachers are dealing with our childrens' brains. Youth sports, on the other hand, is a whole-body activity--every domain is challenged: physical, mental and emotional.

It's not enough to teach young athletes the fundamentals of a sport. We have a unique opportunity to create an environment that allows young athletes to set and achieve goals that will not only develop their sport-specific skills, but will help with personal growth as well. And we need to show them how indvidual development contributes to team success.

As coaches, we need to integrate both physical and mental skills--they are not two separate entities. Developing physical skills builds confidence and self-worth, and an athlete who is confident and self-worthy is motivated to learn more and play harder. It is a simple but powerful idea that all sport behavior starts with a thought. Many youth coaches focus too much time on the physical process and not enough time on the thinking process. One goal of mental game preparation is to help coaches and athletes understand the thinking process, therefore understanding and improving behavior on the field or court.

So we need to redefine our role as youth sports coaches. We need to realize that we have the ability and the forum to teach young athletes how to develop physical and mental skills that will help them achieve their goals throughout a season and throughout their lives. And, by the way, we will reap these benefits in our own lives.

We would like to hear your thoughts on the role(s) of youth sports coaches.