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 JULY 9, 2003 Parents and Coaching Sports can be a positive part of a child's life -- if parents don't get in the way. Parents who coach children well teach them life skills, boost self-esteem, and help them relieve stress through appropriate physical activity. Overbearing parent-coaches with a win-at-all-cost attitude, or those who live vicariously through their children, can have a tremendously negative influence. The key to being a good parent-coach is "to keep it fun and safe and to make sports a positive experience," says Fred Engh, founder and president of the National Alliance for Youth Sports in West Palm Beach, Florida. The alliance has 11 programs for parents, including sports development and child abuse prevention, as well as a parent's association. The largest program by far is the National Youth Sport Coaches Association, which has 160,000 parent-coach members in 2,000 chapters. This association specializes in training parents to be coaches and has trained 1.4 million parents, says Engh. For a $20 membership, parents receive a quarterly newsletter with coaching tips and the opportunity to purchase a $1-million liability policy. Beginning training and certification includes four hours of group discussions about such topics as the role of winning, why a child wants to play sports, and why a child decides to quit, and also covers specific sports. Coaching Certification In a recent survey of more than 1,000 coaches, 73% said they would rather coach in a league that required coaching certification. "Most coaches want to do a good job," says Engh. "When parents are trained, coaches coach longer, and leagues report that the players have a more positive experience." Parent-coaches must keep the games in perspective and make sure the players have fun, he says. "Coaches need to know how to motivate children and challenge them to become better. At the same time, they have to limit expectations. Not everyone can be a hero." Before age 10, competition is not necessarily the main goal for children. "It's a social opportunity to meet with friends and make new friends as well as to develop a love and admiration for sports," Engh says. After age 10, a child will decide to play sports, or to dance, draw, or play a musical instrument, he says, "because it feels good. It helps them develop confidence and self-esteem. Then they can participate competitively." For information about being trained and certified as a parent-coach, and free information about starting an education program for coaches and parents, call the National Youth Sport Coaches Association at 1-800-729-2057, or visit its website at www.nays.org. |
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