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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – When you hear the word ‘coach,'
what is the first thought that comes to mind? The most common answer
is someone who mentors and guides people to succeed.
The
volunteer coaches in the Child, Youth and School Services Youth
Sports program provide the children of Joint Base Lewis-McChord with
instruction, direction, and motivation while building each child's
confidence and self-esteem.
“The coaches teach children the
basics of a sport while ensuring they are having fun,” said Cynthia
Williams-Patnoe, CYSS Sports director. “The volunteer coaches we get
are interested in working with children and are looking to give back
to the community.”
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U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Shawn Powell tells his players about their performance throughout the season and provides some helpful tips on stuff they can do on their own time during a practice at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., March 9,
2015. The volunteer coaches provide direction, instruction and motivation while building each child's confidence and self-esteem. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel Schroeder)
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Each person who volunteers must complete two tasks before
coaching children. The first is an extensive background
check which looks for anything which could create a negative
environment for the children.
The second is the coach
must be certified by the National Youth Sports Coaches
Association. The NYSCA's goal is to ensure every child who
puts on a uniform has a safe, positive and rewarding
experience.
NYSCA highlights the importance of
volunteer coaches in a child's sports participation. CYSS
used an instructional video during the coaching class
featuring several prominent professional and university
coaches. It stated the mentorship and attitude of the coach
impacts a child to either embrace the sport or walk away
completely.
“Coaches are viewed as role models,
especially in a sport the child loves,” said Kathleen
Powell, volunteer soccer coach. “They may not realize it,
but coaches have a ton of influence over children. If a
coach tells them something, they listen. Children want to
please; they want their coach to be proud of them like a
parent is.”
Just as a parent would, coaches teach
lessons that emphasize children to grow not only in sports,
but in life also.
The NYSCA interviewed several
prestigious coaches on various tips and ways to assist
volunteers in their coaching process for the instructional
video. Lovie Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach, stated
he always goes back to the golden rule, treat others how you
want to be treated.
“I listen to the guys on the
field instead of talking down to them,” he said. “I think of
coaching as teaching. All the great teachers I've had have
given me knowledge without raising their voice. You want
someone to help you, not yell at you.”
Powell
explained the examples of good sportsmanship can have an
impact on players and the games played, and vice versa.
Sports can cause competitive people, whether playing or
spectating, to become angry and possibly physical.
A
study by Cheryl Danilewicz from the University of Nevada,
Las Vegas in 2012 showed 29 percent of people witnessed a
physical confrontation at a youth sporting event. Nearly 80
percent responded having witnessed a verbal altercation
between the coaches, parents and officials.
According
to the NYSCA, this happens when a volunteer coach is not
performing to a level similar to what they see on
television. The children's mistakes get magnified because
the coach's expectations are too large. It is OK for
mistakes to happen in a youth game.
The same study
also showed a large number of parents have seen a coach
yelling at their child for making a mistake.
If a
coach demonstrates good behavior and sportsmanship, the
players will start to display the same. The same goes in the
other direction.
“As long as the volunteer coach
doesn't base his players' effectiveness from the scoreboard,
you can build confidence in every player,” Powell said. “The
most exciting thing to see is the players start with zero
concept of the game and keep improving throughout the
season.”
Powell uses the same approach in her
coaching style for her and her husband's soccer team.
Throughout practices, she might notice one of her players
getting frustrated from not performing a drill correctly.
She calmly asks the player what the trouble is and,
depending on the issue, proposes an alternate method to
completing the drill.
During the video, NYSCA stated
all coaches, regardless of level of play, must connect with
their players and genuinely care about them to encourage
progression.
Mike Krzyzewski, the men's basketball
head coach at Duke University, said in the video the players
will believe what you say when they experience a down moment
from the trust built upon first meeting.
“Having a
good relationship with the players, being positive and
honest the first time a coach talks to players, allows for
growth,” he said. “Instead of waiting until the coach is
already frustrated to address issues.”
Coaches deal
with challenges ranging from frustrated players to parents
overruling their position during any season, but they must
always remember to demonstrate good sportsmanship for their
team and the parents.
“The best way coaches can teach
sportsmanship is by how they act and what they say,” said
Krzyzewski. “Be humble no matter the outcome. If you lose,
take responsibility and give credit to the team who won.”
Powell ensures she shows what right looks like in
everything she does.
“I know I am always walking in a
leadership role,” she said. “If I demonstrate kindness and
respect to my players, then I will get it back from my
players and, hopefully, it spreads to others as well.”
By U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel Schroeder
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
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