If you have been a youth coach for any significant length of time, have you sometimes noticed that your particular sports league has had difficulty finding coaches to fill their ranks? Have you witnessed league officials asking for assistance from parents and current coaches, to locate viable coaching candidates who are ready to hit the ground running?
Perhaps the particular league even offers up certain types of incentives to those individuals who go above and beyond to help recruit coaches to fill vacant positions. The gimmicks can run the gamut, to be sure.
This can be a very woeful predicament for ANY sports league (especially a youth league) to find itself in. So the question must be asked…Is there a shortage of youth coaches? If the answer to that is “yes.”, then what are some important reasons why more people do not become youth coaches? Hello folks! Coach Paul, at your service here. In this blog, I will delve into these reasons and pose potential solutions for each, based on my opinion.
1. Lack of Time
What is that famous quote about time and the perceived lack thereof? I believe it’s “We all have the same 24 hours in a day.“. That fact certainly cannot be argued by anyone in our world today. It can be safely presumed that a large sector of our society feels that they never have any time to accomplish anything, much less becoming a successful youth sports coach. The two important factors in our lives, that are blamed for the proliferation of the myth about a lack of time, are:
Our Jobs – The U.S. is the most overworked nation in the world, hands down. We consume ourselves to bettering our careers and to earn as much of an income as we can, in order to obtain the material items that we desire. Inherently, there is nothing wrong with this approach. Being ambitious and wanting to be successful at what you do, is an honorable endeavor.
Where we end up in the weeds, is when our careers become an all-out obsession that clouds our focus and potential dedication to other life pursuits. I am sure that you know of a friend, a colleague or a family member who is experiencing this right now.
What is a practical SOLUTION that would help mitigate this issue? Re-prioritize and delegate (if possible) your job responsibilities. It may take some time and effort, however, this may very well free up some additional time, where you can focus a bit more on your coaching responsibilities.
Family Duties – I am willing to wager a hefty bet, that your family is the most important thing in our life. That is to be expected. Anything that would come before your family, seems absolutely foreign, out of place and simply unacceptable. Youth coaching is no exception.
If you wish to pursue youth coaching at the same time as spending time with your family, you may be able to bridge the gap between the two; ‘killing two birds with one stone’, if I may be so bold. Should you be in the position where your own children wish to take part in the sports that you have an interest in coaching, then that must be something to take advantage of.
What is a practical SOLUTION that would help to mitigate this issue? If feasible, ask your family (children and/or spouse/partner) to become involved in the sport(s) that you are coaching. Let them know that doing this, can contribute greatly to your proverbial “family time”.
*If you are single and/or without children, then this should not be a major component in your ultimate decision whether or not to pursue youth coaching.
2. Lack of Experience
Some people may not feel qualified to coach because they lack experience in coaching or in playing the sport in question. This is a valid concern for a prospective coach. Regardless of the sport, we all want to bring at least a minimum amount of knowledge to the table, when we begin our youth coaching journey. That beginning knowledge, though limited, can give us the basic confidence, to lead a young team to be competitive and to thrive.
What is a practical SOLUTION that would help to mitigate this issue? Do not be embarrassed by a lack of knowledge that you may have. Do not be intimidated to speak to experienced coaches, who can give you helpful advice. They will gladly do so. Utilize videos on the internet for sports and coaching tutorials. Above all, always show great enthusiasm and energy, regardless of any lack of experience. That CAN go a long way.
3. Liability Concerns
Some people may be concerned about the potential liability risks associated with youth coaching. You, yourself might be a bit hesitant to take on the legal and financial responsibilities that come with coaching. It could be a heavy burden for you to mentally bear. Every youth sports league has its bylaws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
As you begin your coaching journey (especially if you are brand new to the process), you will want to get yourself familiar with the inner workings of the league, that allow it to function properly. Learn the Dos and Don’ts of what it takes to be an effective coach.
What is a practical SOLUTION that would help to mitigate this issue? Learn the system and be aware of the liabilities that can affect you directly, as the coach. Read thoroughly, any and all documents/agreements/contracts that must be signed-off by you, prior to the beginning of your season.
4. Lack of Appreciation and Recognition
As human beings, we yearn to be appreciated for our accomplishments. We all delight in the grand spectacle of receiving commendations and awards for a job well done or for going above and beyond the call of duty in solving a problem, helping someone in need or saving a life, just to name a few.
In the realm of youth coaching, some people may not feel appreciated or recognized for their coaching efforts, which in turn, may discourage them from continuing to coach in the future. This can be a complicated matter, since it is easily assumed that youth sports coaching is a selfless act of dedication and of commitment to help make children better athletes and by extension, better citizens.
At its core, you should not openly seek or ask for any appreciation or recognition for the work that you do as a coach. Do NOT expect it or feel that you are entitled to it, no matter how much you feel you may deserve it.
What is a practical SOLUTION that would help to mitigate this issue? ALWAYS coach your youth with passion, determination, enthusiasm and drive. ALWAYS lift up your players, regardless of their performance. ALWAYS educate and instruct, from a position of genuine authority. If you do these things consistently, then praise and appreciation from parents, bystanders, fellow coaches, etc. can/will occur organically, without demanding for it. THIS is where you want to operate from.
Conclusion: Are you up to the task?
Many things must be considered, when taking on the mantle of a youth sports coach. You must prioritize those considerations, in order of importance to your life circumstance.
Examine the pros and cons to your particular situation, then weigh them against each other. If you find that there are more pros and cons, then you just may feel a sense of liberation to dive right in and begin your coaching career without a care! If the cons take precedent over the pros, then you can simply step back and take some time (the amount of time will be entirely up to you) to re-evaluate and try again.
This can be an exciting time for you to discover if you truly have what it takes to be a great youth coach. Regardless of the outcome, enjoy the process!
Please feel free to leave a comment below, about this discussion! If not, you can simply say “Hi!”. I like it when people say “Hi!”. And as always…thanks for reading.