Coach JJ's Blog: Your Responsibilities as a Coach

As a youth coach with over 10 years experience in multiple sports, particularly football, basketball and baseball. I have run across my share of good and bad coaches and leagues. I think that the problem is more in-depth than most would imagine. I mean there are some leagues that desire to but struggle to find qualified, skilled, knowledgeable volunteers to help with their youth sports programs because it is "volunteer" work. On the other hand, there are some organizations that have a history of intentionally putting coaches on the field with young people that have no credibility in their character, have a severely limited knowledge of the game and lack the understanding of how to effectively and properly coach a child, with no real desire to actually learn and improve. This obviously hurts the youth sports culture, youth sports leagues, discourages parents, and ultimately hurts the kids that these individuals serve.

Coaching at any level involves much more than designing scoring plays, drawing up defenses, and filling out a coach's application. Coaching involves accepting the tremendous responsibility you face when parents put their children in your league and under your care as a coach. As a football coach, you have the responsibility to do the following:

1. Provide a safe environment.
Playing football holds some risks, but as a coach you are responsible for minimizing those risks in several ways such as: inspecting the practice field, players' equipment, and being aware of the surroundings and potential threats including assistants and parents.

A coach should make it a priority to explain to the players and parents before the start of the season that football is a contact sport. Therefore, during the course of the season, players will:

* get bruises
* be tired and need extra rest, and
* will need to increase their fluid intake to stay hydrated and avoid dehydration.

Teach players and parents the importance of equipment maintenance and the safest techniques. Prepare a safety plan prior to the season that you will follow.

2. Communicate in a positive way.
A coach not only communicates with players and parents but also with the coaching staff, officials, and league administrators. Do this in a way that is positive and that demonstrates that you have the best interest of the players at heart,

3. Teach the fundamental skills of football.
When teaching the fundamental skills of football, keep in mind that football is a game, and as such, you want to be sure that the players have fun. Prepare fun and productive practices. To help your athletes improve, you as a coach need to have a sound understanding of offensive, defensive, and special teams. Teach players the ins and outs of the game.

4. Teach the rules of football.
Teach the rules of football and put them into individual instruction. Many rules can be taught during the first practice. Plan to review the rules routinely but also stop and teach anytime an opportunity naturally arises in practice. Never assume that your players already know the rules.

5. Direct players in competition.
A coach should practice making good tactical decisions during games and practices. Remember the focus is not on winning at all costs but on coaching your players to compete well, to do their best, improve their football skills, and strive to win within the rules.

6. Help young people develop character.
This is our motto at GRID IRON Youth Sports Training: "Building Character and Champions". Character development includes learning, caring, being honest, respectful, and taking responsibility. These qualities are just as important as knowing how to block and tackle well. These character traits will last far beyond a child's playing days. Teach the players these values by demonstrating them yourself and encouraging behavior that expresses these values at all times.

These are your responsibilities as a coach. Remember every player is an individual and as coaches we must provide them with an environment in which they can learn how to play the game without fear, while having fun and enjoying the overall football experience. One of my goals as a coach is to NEVER have a child leave my team, and not want to continue on in the sport.

When you leave the field and your players see you in the grocery store remember, you as a coach have a great influence on them and they still see you as "Coach". Use this influence to make a positive impact on that child.

Coach JJ has coached youth sports for over 10 years. He is the Owner and Player/Skill Development Specialist for GRID IRON Youth Sports Training and trains players ages 6-15 in football, basketball and baseball. Coach JJ, is also passionate about youth fitness and runs GRID IRON "KIDFit Camp" as a result of that passion.He has coached youth football and basketball at the Conroe and Woodlands YMCA's. He is the Coach Coordinator and a Board Member for Conroe Little League Baseball and has coached their for several years as well. Coach JJ is a certified member of USA Football, the national governing body for youth football in America. He is also a certified member of USA Basketball, the national governing body for youth basketball in America. Coach JJ is trained and certified through the Positive Coaching Alliance and is currently pursuing his certification as a Youth Fitness Specialist and Speed and Agility Trainer both through the International Youth Conditioning Association. He is a contracted instructor in football and basketball for the City of Conroe Parks and Recreation Department. Coach JJ is also in the process completing his training with the American Sports Education Program.