Coaching

Working To Increase Number of Women Coaches: Why It Matters

Today’s generation of mothers is rich with athletic experience and talent. But all too often they are channeled away from coaching, into non-coaching support roles like “team mom.” Here's why tapping in to this growing talent pool of athletic women will benefit our communities and our kids.

How To Increase The Number of Women Coaches in Youth Sports

Persistent assumptions about men’s “natural” abilities as coaches, along with powerful informal group processes, tend to channel women — even those with interest and athletic experience—away from coaching, toward being “team moms.”  

Tryouts Enable Coaches to Assess Best Fit of Both Players and Parents

Tryouts are a time for coaches not only to assess talent but find the right fit of both players and parents to help ensure a successful season, both on and off the field.  A longtime youth baseball coach and author of the book, A Perfect Season, Dan Clemens recounts his experience at one team tryout, and some of the things he learned, not only about the process and the players, but, not surprisingly, about their parents as well.

Passing the Baseball Torch

Retelling baseball stories passed on by his grandfather and father, says youth baseball coach and author, Dan Clemens, is one way to repay a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they made so he could enjoy the game, a passion he is paying forward to his son.

Generation Why: Communicating with Millennials Poses Challenge For Youth Coaches

To be a good youth sports coach these days requires an understanding of what Generation Y, the Millenials, are all about, including expecting instant gratification.

Respect of Coaches Is Earned in Many Ways

With no disrespect  to my young educated readers, I’m going  to start this article with the dictionary definition of respect.    (transitive verb)  : to consider worthy of high regard.  After reading the definition of respect, a lot of questions came to mind. Like, how many young athletes out there respect their coach and how many don’t? How many coaches respect their athletes, or don’t?  How many parents respect their kids coach, or don’t? How many coaches respect the team parents?  Above all, why does it matter and where and how does respect happen. Wow, way too many questions.

There are lots of ways a youth sports coach can earn the respect of his or her players and their parents.

Increasing Cynicism of Younger Coaches Is Disturbing Trend

In his monthly column on youth sports heroes, Doug Abrams highlights two high school baseball pitchers who refused to follow their coach's instructions to intentionally throw at the head of a batter.  

His article highlights one high school baseball coach but proves two larger points. 

Skill Development: Youth Sports Coaches Shouldn't Expect Instant Results

Youth sports coaches don't always get to see the results of their teaching pay off, but the satisfaction when it happens is great. 

Umpire's Blown Call Provides Coach Teachable Moment

Often when dealing with umpires, parents, and kids (not to mention bosses and co-workers!), being right is only a piece of what's important for a coach. We have to balance correctness with our larger goals.  As adults, it is critical that we realize the opportunity every moment affords us, the "teachable moments."  As a coach and parent, we always have a choice in how we act and what we say.

Fun, Learn, Compete: Transforming Sports Into A Lifelong Passion

Whether you are a parent, youth baseball coach, piano teacher or faculty advisor for the chess club, your mantra should be the same:  to create a fertile environment where kids can learn, compete, and have fun, says youth baseball coach and author, Dan Clemens.
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