Linsey Covert M.Ed, NCC, LPC coverlin@chambersburg.k12.pa 717-372-6804

1. Linsey Covert M.Ed, NCC, LPCcoverlin@chambersburg.k12.pa.us717-372-6804 Understanding the Young Athlete

2. Objectives Coach will: - Begin to explore and think about coaching philosophy - Understand and possibly adjust your expectations of your young athletes - Make the connection between coaching/teaching sport(s) skill and coaching/teaching life skills - Begin exploring ways to utilize relevance for young athletes (helping each other, positive change in behavior, social/communication skills, problem solving, resiliency, and leadership) - Understand the power of connection and sense of belonging - Be given ideas and strategies on appropriate ways to respond to young athletes - HAVE FUN 

3. Some Stats • 30-40 million kids play in youth sports each year • Estimated less than 20% of youth sports coaches are provided with any training • Less than 20% of high school students are involved in sports • 45.3% of kids surveyed report they have been called names, yelled at, or insulted by coaches • 21% of kids reported they have been pressured to play with an injury • 17% of kids reported they have been hit, kicked, or slapped by a coach www.centerforkids.org

4. Why Kids Are Playing To HAVE FUN!!! To improve their skills To stay in shape To do something they are good at The excitement of competition To get exercise To play as part of a team The challenge of competition To learn new skills To win More Stats Why Kids Quit • They lose interest • They weren’t having fun • It required too much time • The coach played favorites • The coach was a poor teacher • They got tired of playing • Too much emphasis on winning • They wanted to participate in other non-sport activities • They needed more time to study • There was too much pressure www.centerforkids.org

5. Coaching Philosophy Take a minute (or two) - Write down at least 3 reasons you are here…why do you WANT to coach? - You have to know where YOU are coming from to know where you are going with your young athletes

6. Expectations of your Kids Now write down at least 3 expectations you will have of your athletes and how and how you plan on making sure your kids live up to those expectations.

7. Expectations Cont. Look at your expectations again… Are they… • Realistic? • Developmentally Appropriate? • Coachable/Teachable?

8. Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3S2Lk2XCCs

9. Sports…The Game of Life Sports helps teach our kids the foundations of life. Project: TEAM -Help Each Other -Positive Change in Behavior -Social/Communication Skills -Problem Solving -Resiliency -Leadership

10. Making a Connection Kids should feel like they have a place on the team. Make some kind of connection for them. Encourage teambuilding and leadership from some of your more experienced and confident athletes. Connection and sense of belonging will keep kids coming back. It’s purpose for them.

11. Communication HUGE!!! As the leaders and adults of the teams we have to understand the best ways to communicate. Kids will hear and see everything. Verbal Language Paralanguage Non-verbal Language

12. Something to think about… Verbal Content comprises only 7% of the force of any response Paralanguage comprises about 38% of the force of any response ******Non Verbal Content comprises 55% of the force of any response. CollegeJournal

13. Strategies to Try • Leadership Model • Teambuilding Activities • http://www.oakharborcheer.com/TeamBuildingGames.html • http://wilderdom.com/games/InitiativeGames.html • http://wilderdom.com/teambuilding/ • Clear Rules/Expectations for all Coaches, Players, & Parents • Team Routines & Rituals

14. The name on the front of the jersey is what really matters, not the name on the back. When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, excellence becomes a reality. ~Joe Paterno

15. If we have time… Get into groups of about 10-12 people