If you’ve ever registered your child for sports, you’ve probably been confronted with this question: Are you willing to coach your child’s team?
You may think that you don’t have the skills, experience or time to fill the role. I completely understand. However, if Ted Lasso has taught us anything, it’s that you don’t need to be an expert – you just need to have heart.
Coaching youth sports takes less time, effort and skill than you think.
Youth sports need more moms on the field. Here’s why…
Even though girls have more opportunities to play sports than ever before, their participation drops sharply around the age of nine. By the time girls reach the age of 14, they quit sports at more than twice the rate of boys.
Getting girls into the game sets them up for a lifetime of success. Studies have shown that girls who play sports attain higher levels of education, are healthier mentally and physically, and even earn higher wages as adults.
Our girls (and boys) need positive role models. They need grown-ups who are willing to invest their time to make sports fun. Whether or not a child decides to pursue sports at a more competitive level, the skills they learn in little league lay a foundation for a lifetime of physical activity.
You don’t need to be a skilled athlete.
The best coaches are not necessarily former D1 athletes or even former high school players, they are patient teachers.
Depending on your child’s age, you’ll likely find you don’t need to know as much as you think. This is especially true if you’re signing on as an assistant.
Most leagues provide everything you need – practice plans, coaching clinics, and other instructional materials. Many times all of the information is available online.
Youtube is also a great resource for easy games, age-appropriate drills and skill development.
Coaching takes less time than you might imagine.
Coaching does take some time out of your week and so if you are in a season of life where you just can’t add one more thing to your plate, I get that.
However, if you’re already planning to be the one to drive your kid to and from practices and games, there’s not much of an additional time commitment to coach.
You can knock out a practice plan in under 30 minutes. Many leagues have even automated parent communication, so that’s one less thing for you to do. Plus, coaching usually takes place at times when it is less likely to interfere with work.
If you’re “just there to have fun,” you’re an ideal coach.
Research has proven time and time again that the #1 reason kids play sports is to have fun with their friends. Winning didn’t even make the top ten.
Keeping the focus on fun is key to a successful season for you and your players. If you were born without a single competitive bone in your body, it’s your time to shine!
Coaches who help their team develop character and social skills alongside their athletic abilities are ultimately the biggest winners.
And if you’re a mom, you’ve got all the skills you need.
As a mom, you’ve been building a coaching resume for years, you just didn’t know it.
Through potty training, you’ve shown incredible determination.
Sibling rivalry has made you the ultimate expert in team dynamics.
You’ve displayed grit in the face of a stomach bug.
Organizational skills? You keep track of all 47 of the elementary school’s dress-up days.
You’ve developed patience as your child has figured out zippers.
You are not easily intimidated…hello science projects and fractions.
You have a keen eye for what motivates your child. (Hint…it’s snacks and Bluey.)
Toddler temper tantrums are no match for your perseverance.
You folded 16 loads of laundry with a (mostly) positive attitude.
Multitasking? That’s your specialty.
As it turns out, you already have all the traits of a great coach. So put on your warm-up suit and slap on a pair of aviators: You’re a mom. You’ll make this job look easy.
For me, success is not about the wins and losses. It’s about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves on and off the field.
Ted Lasso
Photo by Ben Hershey on Unsplash
