Changing the Youth Sports Narrative - 13 Crucial Coaching Techniques

LISLE, Ill. - Nov. 28, 2017 - PRLog -- Because of the new player feelings and parent outlooks in youth sports today, coaches must treat athletes differently from years ago. Where once you could constructively criticize youth players and it was acceptable, now it's likely to cause trouble. One critical statement or (in the eyes of the parent) questionable move by a coach can lead to upset players and parents.

"Most coaches are ill-prepared for the challenges of youth sports.The athletes' lack of fun and parent unhappiness are prevalent because coaches fail to inspire both youth and parents alike. Coaches can, and must, change the current youth sports culture before the enjoyment disappears for many more athletes." Jack Perconte

Following are Jack's 13 coaching tips to help the stressed athletes of today.

Coaches Should:

1. Know what kids value - fun, opportunity, and fairness.
2. Always display integrity, enthusiasm, and patience with players and parents.
3. Continue to learn new ways to teach the game, as well as having sufficient practice time with detailed instruction.
4. Analyze each player's psyche and recognize emotional changes to help them learn to cope.
5. Communicate with players one-on-one, too, especially those with anxiety due to parental pressure.
6. Keep the ratio of praise to constructive criticism at about 4 to 1. Kids today need and respond to approval. Many lose confidence or quit and after disapproval in any form.
7. Shape the critiques in ways that do not attack an athlete's character. Any words that kids perceive as an attack may get them and their parents upset.
8. Remind players that critiques are not to be taken personally but as a means to improvement.
9. Do not challenge player toughness as coaches did years ago.
10. Use physical activity for conditioning, not as punishment.
11. Be politically correct. Many sayings that were once common in sports are not OK anymore. For example, "You throw like a girl" is inappropriate.
12. Build up the players with low confidence because it's often torn away at home by over-expectant parents.
13. Reign in the star athlete's ego when it becomes too big because from parents who think their kid is the next superstar.

Finally, coaches should understand that pleasing all parents is nearly impossible, but their best chance is to keep the kids satisfied by doing the above.