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Step 1
Determine the proper goals for your team. At the low end, a YMCA or CYC coach teaches the basics of the sport and the principles of teamwork to very young athletes. The goal is to help each youngster enjoy a good experience while developing skills. At the very high end, a coach strives to prepare mature athletes for major college sports and beyond. Most youth sports teams fall between these extremes. Where is your team?
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Step 2
Clearly outline the goals to the youngsters and their parents. A handout or an e-mail detailing these goals cuts down on misunderstandings. Make sure everybody knows exactly what they signed up for.
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Step 3
Clearly outline the commitment needed from the youngsters and their parents in terms of attending practices, making the games, raising funds and so forth. The commitment level must match the competitive level.
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Step 4
Recruiting the right parent or parents is as important as recruiting the right kids. It is the ultimate tie-breaker while choosing between players. Your parents should embrace a constructive approach to athletic development. They must support every member of the team. Just as teams need good chemistry, so do the parents.
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Step 5
Know what you are doing. Attend coaching clinics if you must learn more. Take your team to developmental camps. Bring in personal instructors for team sessions. Locate parent helpers with some expertise to share and the proper demeanor to teach.
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Step 6
Run fast-paced practices. Get a lot a done in 1 1/2 hours, 2 hours maximum. Then get them out of there. Change things up and surprise them with fun stuff. Long, tedious, slow-paced sessions suck the life out of kids.
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Step 7
Define "success" as individual and team progress. These youngsters aren't pros. It's nice to win, of course, but not at the expense of making each kid better and the team fabric stronger. It's not about your ego, it's about their growth. Until your team is competing at a high national level, the process is more important than the bottom-line production.
