The Idiot’s Guide To Coaching Essay, Research Paper

There was an old women who lived in a shoe, she had so many children she didn t know what to do Sympathy for this, fictional, women is easily given. The reason is because I sometimes feel the same way as she did when I am coaching the rambunctious fifth grade basketball players of Rockwell Elementary School. Although it is only my first year coaching I have quickly acquired a methodology for coaching which has severed quite well. I feel it is important to know how to appropriately deal with children without scaring the emotionally, hence the systematic method of coaching a group of fifth graders was devised. Also, I hope this method, or process, take the children, who won only one game last year, to a more prosperous season. There are three major steps necessary to accomplish this process. If practice is structured, rewards or punishments are given, and a relaxed environment is maintained any group of young children can be coached.

The first step in this task of coaching children is that a well organize plan must be made. In making this plan many factors must be taken into consideration. The first of these is that the plan must be stuck to at all cost. Times for each drill must be assigned. I caution, however, that children have very short attention spans. This means that each drill cannot be too long. It may be beneficial to include different games related to the sport into the planning. This will help keep the attention of the children focused on the practice. The plan must be made ahead of practice times; this will allow for the finding of any flaws within. When running the different drills makes sure to evaluate the effectiveness of each. This is done so the next time a practice plan is made one knows what to include or exclude. If the coach is organized the team will be more organized as well.

The next step is appropriately disciplining and rewarding the children. When dealing with children it necessary not to abuse the power given to a coach. If the children get to wild, it is important that disciplinary measured be taken. If this is not done they will continue to misbehave and nothing will be accomplished during practice. A keynote in the disciplinary process is that the children know why they are being punished; this is why a rule sheet should be made and distributed to each child. The rules must be written in a generalized fashion such as, No taking when I am talking. It is important to write rules like that because children tend to take thing too literally. Also the last aspect to acknowledge when disciplining children is that all disciplines must remain the same no matter who is the child, this will show fairness to all. Disciplining must not be the only way to get the young players to do what is wanted from them. Rewarding is a much pleasanter way to accomplish the desired behavior. The best way of rewarding work is that if a practice goes well, and the children do almost all that is asked bring that a small treat. Do it frequently at first and gradually increase the time between treats (every two good practices, every three, and so on). If this works properly the children will eventually behave properly because it is expected, rather than for the treat. This type of rewarding is known as a form of operant conditioning, used in psychology.

The last and possibly most important step in coaching is to provide a relaxed environment. To do so all the kids on the team must be befriended. If this is done a bond will be formed with the kids thus they are more likely to listen to instruction. They will also show respect to the coach, because the coach gives them respect. As a coach for children an attitude of a drill sergeant must be done away with, it is important that the children enjoy the all the aspects of the game. One must remember at this age winning should not be the main point of focus. The children must learn how to play the game, hence fundamentals must be taught. Also, when it comes game time separate all playing time equally and rotate starters, this will lift the kids spirits in practice and not leave them dejected because they are not one of the best players. This will also keep all egos in check, thus the children can continue working as team. The last part of maintaining a relax environment for the children is to let them know that it doesn t matter if the team wins or loses as long as the try the hardest and have fun playing.

Coaching children can be a very stressful job if it is not approached correctly. Likewise, if the proper method is followed coaching is one of the world s most rewarding jobs. This method that is spoken of is being organized as a coach, rewarding or punishing where deemed necessary, and providing a relaxed environment. If this is followed I have learned, form my own experience, that coaching fifth graders can be fun. This method I feel can be carried to any age group except the professional ranks. The reason it cannot be applied to the professionals is because they have their focus and know the game already; thus other points must be worked on with them. If the method does fail evaluate it and determine what needs to be changed in order for it to work better. It is important to remember that all teams do not have the same personalities thus parts of this process may need to be adjusted. I hope with this process the coaching experience will be a more enjoyable one, for all.