KID FOOTBALL

Periodically, we read about some sports personality speaking out about Little League Sports. Usually it is of a critical nature; rarely is it complimentary. You hear charges of overzealous coaches and parents; some of which are true. Some coaches bring to the field an overwhelming portrayal of Vince Lombardi. Some parents bring to the field a reenactment of the days at the coliseum in Rome. But most coaches and parents bring an honest desire to help a boy achieve a basic knowledge of the game he is playing. Yes, there are problems, but the plusses far outweigh them.

                                                                          A KID

What is a boy trying out for a football team? He’s an enthusiastic, imaginative and impressionable person. In the eyes of his parents he is Brian Westbrook, Tom Brady and Brian Dawkins rolled in to one, that is until he gets his first lesson on stance, and then he becomes their son. In the eyes of his peers he is great, good or stinks. In the eyes of his coach he is a very important person. One who needs instruction, understanding and compassion?

He is the future.

           RESPONSIBILITY, OPPORTUNITY, SATISFACTION

        We who call ourselves coaches must recognize the basic fundamentals of our job.

1.       We are responsible for the boys’ well-being on the field from the first day of practice to the last. He will have enthusiasm; we are responsible for sustaining it. He will need constant repetitive instruction. We are responsible for supplying it. He will need a belief in himself and his team; we are responsible for fanning the flame of confidence in him. He will soar with the thrill of winning and will cry with the deflation of defeat. We are responsible for keeping him on an even keel. Confident and happy upon winning, determined to overcome weaknesses upon defeat. Yet always believing in him. If we are responsible for him, we must also be responsible for ourselves. We must acquire the knowledge of the game. We must overcome our own weaknesses. We must believe in ourselves and must be enthusiastic, understanding and compassionate. 

2.       We, as coaches have a golden opportunity. We can teach the basic skills required for the game, but more importantly, we can instill the respect for others that is needed, the mental discipline that is required and the element of teamwork that will help him become a better person --- NOTE --- not just a better player, but a better person.

What is the satisfaction of coaching?  Many times we have heard the trite expression, “well at least we’re keeping him off the street.” I wince when I hear it because it tells me that the individual is using that as a screen to hide his imperfections. A general definition of coaching is “to teach some basic skills and practice these skills constantly.” To really coach, we must have the mental discipline to repeat the same instruction over and over again, to withstand the pressure of changing and going to something new. The greatest satisfaction comes from seeing the evolution of a boy who accomplishes the basics. Winning is part of our life, from the time we get our first report card in school until we die, we are involved with competition in some form. When we put a uniform on a boy and send him against another boy in a different color uniform, we are trying to win. How we handle this desire to win is vital to our handling of the boy. If we complain about officiating, the boy will complain. If we are disrespectful, the boy will be disrespectful. If we try to win dishonestly, the boy will, if we permit winning to outweigh the boy, then we are the losers.  What we do on the practice field determines how we do in a game. How we handle the boy will help determine what he does in the game of life. Kids are fun. Let’s enjoy them.

Kids are also sensitive human beings and a 33-0 trouncing isn’t fun to anyone. Sometimes it is obvious early in the game that one team is far superior to another. Perhaps frequent early substitution will enable the boys from both teams to enjoy the game. Please remember, kids are fun, let them have fun.