There are many reasons as to why people become coaches–but what does it really mean to carry that title?
There are many reasons why people choose to be a coach–perhaps it’s because you want to coach your son or daughter’s team, or maybe it’s simply due to an overwhelming, competitive drive to win. All the above that I mention are true, but the question still remains–what does it truly mean to be a coach?
Courtesy SportsEddy.com
Every child growing up will have many mentors in their life. If an athlete is smart, then he or she will know how to use the skills they were taught as a youth, in their everyday adult life. I’ve been coaching for 8 years, and for me it’s not about winning championships, but it’s more about preparing my players for what’s to come.
In this world, competition is everywhere. A person is competing for a job, a relationship, on the field or court, or with a rival company. Preparing athletes through organized sports, the athletes will have a better understanding of getting a task done on the field, and they will use it when they get older.
A coach must explain this to his or her team. You can prepare for the kids for a season, but you must also explain how what they are learning now can be helpful in the future.
If you are coaching youth sports, then I believe the main focus should be just having fun, and teaching these young athletes the basics of each sport. It’s also important for them to make friends and learn good sportsmanship.
Courtesy The Mercury News
If a coach decides to teach and coach at the high school level, then it becomes a bit more competitive, and it’s about preparing for each season. Everything that was taught to an athlete should be applied at the high school level, including sportsmanship. An athlete might be upset by a loss, but you should always shake the other team’s hand after a game.
A coach should give his or her athletes the best chance to be successful, no matter the athletic talent. A mentor should always guide them on the right path, but also let them make decisions as to what they want out of each sport.
If an athlete goes on to be successful in their chosen profession, become a good father or mother, and do what they feel is right, then that would be the greatest accomplishment for a coach who coached that athlete when they were younger.
