Frank Watts
1.) Why did you decide to write a book on coaching children?
When my children began to have kids and coach kids it dawned upon me that I had some unique experience in the field. After doing some research I couldn’t find any books aimed at the general subject of coaching kid’s team sports. It soon became a passion to my ego to help other coaches.
2.) What are the three best things to do to involve parents in the coaching process?
Make sure that the league office understands that you will use the concept that a parent from each family will be required to help with your team in some capacity. Telephone each family personally and explain that you will only coach if one of the parents helps in some capacity and you will call a team meeting to assign jobs. In that team/parent meeting, outline the jobs to be done and to insist that one parent from each family participate. Don’t move on with the meeting until each parent is committed.
3.) As a coach, how do you stress winning but not at the cost of having fun?
The first step to balance the win/fun question is to recognize that winning will be very difficult without having fun. Sometimes, some coaches will win without having fun with the kids, but that is an exception at these young ages. Never drive away the poor performers. Let the kids and parents know in your first team meeting that you want to win but it will not be a season of winning at all costs. Perhaps quote from Grantland Rice:
For when the one great scorer comes,
To write against your name,
He marks, not that you won or lost,
But how you played the game.
- Coaching Kids: All Team Sports
4.) What are the basic qualities of a successful youth coach?
Wanting to get the parents involved so they will perceive the season to be a success regardless of the outcome. Wanting to teach – teach – teach to the best of your (and your assistants) ability. Wanting to personally enjoy every moment possible. Wanting to hear the kids say, when they see you in the grocery store, “Hi Coach!”
5.) How do you keep the kid’s focused and having fun – even when the team is struggling to keep up with the competition?
Make sure that you continue to have practices well into the season. Be organized. Make the practice time intense but always have fun at the same time. Maybe you and the assistant coaches demonstrate the wrong way to do a drill. Have the coaches make fun of each other. Make fun of yourself. Always find every kid doing something right every time possible. Being told they did something right is a great leap toward their having fun. Tell their parents about the things they did right. After a loss, praise the talent and coaching on the other team and let them know that they can win next time. Eliminate the negative, accentuate the positive.
6.) How do you deal with “bad” parents?
Talk to them one on one, probably on the phone. If you want the other parents to know what is happening, ask that parent to “stick around after for a few minutes.” The league should have a “one, two, three strikes and you’re out” rule – see the book. Lacking that, and after a couple of talks, ask the parent to find another team for them and their child.