Why it matters in youth-sports programs
It’s amazing how today’s youth-sports volunteers know much more about coaching kids compared to the era in which many of those volunteers were youth athletes. Back (way back!) when I played, no matter the level or the sport, a player was expected to “buy-in” to the coach’s philosophy. I remember it well. There were the tough teams, or the dirty teams, or the fun teams. They each had a different identity, almost always shaped by the head coach.
What youth-sports administrators have learned over the years is that “buying-in” to a team identity can be appropriate in advanced-level sports for teenagers and above, in school and select or travel squads, for example. But for recreational play, it’s far more important to have the “buy-in” come at the coaching level and from the league administrators.
More than ever, pre-teen years are vital for developing young athletes’ love of sports, and hopefully a lifetime of participation. Having leagues centered on skill-development and fun is more important than developing toughness and a winning record. Are those focuses important? Yes, but they also come naturally to children who want to keep playing and developing. Eventually, they’ll learn those skills as their journey progresses to higher levels of competition in their teen years. But early on, a less competitive program can have a tremendous positive impact on youth athletes’ well-being.
Take a child’s mental health as an example. A study by the National Center for Health Statistics found that 93 percent of parents thought their children always or usually had the social and emotional support they needed, but only about 59 percent of teens felt that was true. Depression and anxiety were nearly three times more common among teenagers who did not feel emotionally supported than among those who did. That’s quite a large gap between what parents think and how their children actually feel. And the results can be devastating to the child’s future development. Of course, this applies to sports in a notable way—great coaches can help bridge the gap.
Learning Through Coaching
When I was young, I was lucky to have a dad who was tuned into what was happening on the fields and courts. I remember our team being the only one in our baseball league that regularly met after practices to discuss what we liked and didn’t like about the games and practices. My dad wasn’t our head coach, but our coach agreed to let him lead these sessions. Years later, that coach told me that what he learned from his players was probably more important than anything he could have taught them on the field. More than anything, he learned how much the other players’ needs differed from those of his son. He said, “I thought I signed up to coach a team, but what I realized was that I was coaching 15 very different children.” Trust me when I tell you the kids on that team were lucky to have him as a coach.
Today’s youth-sports administrators understand that “buying-in” to a program philosophy extends well beyond playing and winning games and can’t be left to chance. Youth athletes’ positive mental health is one of many important reasons to develop a consistent message to train all program volunteers. Coaches’ buy-in to a singular philosophy will provide positive experiences for players and, unlike youth sports of the past, will ensure the “buy-in” comes from the adults, not the children.